NAREI helping PWDs to pursue agri ventures

In creating opportunities to ensure Persons with Disabilities (PWD) can enjoy equal opportunities, the Guyana Council of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities partnered with the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) to provide training in Climate Smart Agriculture.
The ongoing programme which is being funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), caters for persons who are visually impaired, and those who are unable to walk, among others.

It aids in the exchange of knowledge and a detail way to develop a comprehensive strategy for managing farmlands, crops, livestock, and forests that counteracts the negative impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity.
Additionally, it teaches them to utilise farming methods such as shade houses and vertical gardening to garner economic opportunities through sustainable food production.
Training Manager at the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Warren Barlow explained that the goal is to ensure persons living with disabilities gain financial independence, and contribute effectively in decision-making to truly benefit from economic, social, political and cultural life.
He made this comment during a recent broadcast off the Disability and You programme.
“The spin-off of this is that those persons with disabilities, now they can work in their comfortable confines in that particular facility. Because it is shaded you can set your beds in such a way… that those persons can easily move throughout the shade house and can be able to their cultivation practices in a very suitable and simple manner,” Barlow said.
Objectively, Climate Smart Agriculture targets family nutrition, promotes healthy lifestyle without increasing cost and increase family savings through decreasing expenditures on food.
Additionally, it creates income generating opportunities for persons who cannot access employment and create micro-enterprises using low-cost inputs.
According to Barlow, NAREI is preparing technical assistance, analytical, diagnostic and advisory services for participants who are desirous of venturing into Climate Smart Agriculture.
Support includes demonstration, soil sampling, and marketing.
“I have received calls from a few persons from Berbice and across the river [West Coast/West Bank] asking further questions and this demonstrated that they have really received the information and the training effectively and they want to further and advance what they are doing,” Barlow added.
Benefits
Productivity; By enhancing crop and livestock production and farm profitability, climatically smart agriculture works to raise overall agricultural productivity and provide greater food security.
Adaptation; Climate smart agriculture aims to fortify agricultural infrastructure against the destructive effects of global warming. This entails taking measures to minimize susceptibility to climate-related threats like floods, droughts, or extreme heat.
Mitigation; One of the primary goals of climatically smart agriculture is to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere because of farming activities, including methane emissions from livestock, paddy rice cultivation, and synthetic fertiliser use. (G1)