19 participants from Guyana, St Lucia graduate from four-day CSA training exercise

On Friday, May 9, nineteen participants from Guyana and St Lucia received certification after participating in a four-day training exercise in Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA).

The programme was a collaborative effort between the Environmental Management Consultants (EMC), the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), and the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA). It was supported through funding from the ExxonMobil Foundation under the Climate Resilience Grant.
In his address, Agriculture Minister, Honourable Zulfikar Mustapha, stated that, in the face of growing climate-related challenges, the agricultural sector is under increasing pressure to produce more food with fewer environmental impacts. He further noted that the training programme was a step towards modernising local farming techniques.

“These programmes were developed to help our farmers advance their methods. We have to move away from the old method of planting certain crops in large open fields. Shadehouses have tremendous potential. Based on what you choose to cultivate, you can earn approximately $500,000 per month after clearing expenses,” he explained.
The event, which marked a significant milestone for the participants, featured both theoretical and hands-on sessions across eight modules, covering shade house design and construction, crop cultivation and management, pest and disease control, and post-harvest handling and storage.
Participants included farmers, students from the Agriculture Innovative and Entrepreneurship Programme (AIEP), representatives from GSA, and trainees from St Lucia.

Climate-smart agricultural techniques, especially the use of shade house technology, offer a viable path forward by improving productivity, enhancing resilience to climate change, and promoting sustainability.
Minister Mustapha also emphasised the importance of such initiatives in Guyana’s broader climate adaptation strategy.
“This training equips our farmers and agricultural professionals with the tools needed to tackle climate change head-on while promoting sustainable food systems. We want Guyana to be a food-producing country. Not just for primary products but also for agro-processing,” he said.
He further disclosed that with the current progress at NAREI, Guyana is on the path to being self-sufficient in onion production in the next five years.

This first-of-its-kind initiative underscores the Government of Guyana’s commitment to advancing climate-smart agriculture and strengthening Caribbean agricultural resilience. With shade house technology at the forefront, Guyana continues to lead efforts in creating a sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural future for the region.