In observance of Agriculture Month 2018, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) hosted an Open Day for schools and agricultural institutions on Friday.
The Open Day is promoting the theme for Agricultural Month, “Shaping agriculture in a green economy.” At GSA on Friday, there was a large number of exhibits showcasing the work of the institution as numbers of primary, secondary and university students benefited from this event.
Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Dr Oudho Homenauth, explained that the event demonstrates aspects of inter-cropping and the value-added products
Several students, accompanied by their teachers, grasped information from NAREI representative during the Open Day
that NAREI promotes, which include spices, coconuts and cassava, since these are major commodities.
Dr Homenauth added that information will be passed on to the agriculture students, since the event is likely to give the students a better understanding of agriculture and knowledge on the careers in agriculture.
Secondary schools from as far as Skeldon on the Corentyne in East Berbice converged at the NAREI, since the event provided information for the CSEC Agriculture School Based Assessment (SBA) and CAPE Agriculture Internal Assessment (IA). Teachers from the various schools explained that the NAREI Open Day has exposed the CSEC students to a wider range of crops, and will greatly assist in the schools’ curriculum.
Meanwhile, University students speaking to Guyana Times explained that the Open Day has provided knowledge for handling agricultural pests on crops, increase in crop production, and would greatly aid in their upcoming project on control of mechanisms for agricultural pests.
The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) is the premier organisation responsible for spearheading agricultural research and extension activities for productivity enhancement and diversification of the non-traditional crops sector (fruits and vegetables), bio-fuel development, as well as for plant quarantine services.
NAREI’s vision is to ensure food security, prosperity and livelihoods of all, using technological innovations in agriculture. The Institute is actively engaged in adaptive research that focuses on improving crop production and productivity for enhanced food security and rural development.
