Region 10 lobbies for Dept of Agriculture, access to agro-processing training

The Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Agriculture Committee is presently seeking to scale up on agricultural economic activities in the Region, which, it was noted, has been without an agricultural budget for years.

According to Committee Chairman Douglas Gittens, several recommendations were recently put forward when the Committee met for discussions.

Gittens pointed out that the Committee would like to become involved in agro-processing training through the Agriculture Ministry and take advantage of the opportunities. The Committee is expected to present a plan for development activities for the Region to Agriculture Minister Noel Holder.

The Committee has also made recommendations for a Department of Agriculture in the Region, with sub-departments, such as for aquaculture, with the aim of initiating a budget to the Region through the Plan of Action for Regional Development (PARD).

Regional Chairman Renis Morian has urged that the Committee write to the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and the Agriculture Minister regarding the steps to be taken.