Trial of wheat production to start in April with 50 varieties

– expansion of soya, corn production underway

Non-traditional crops are being explored by Guyana to reduce its food import bill, and the next venture to commence in Guyana is trials for wheat production.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha indicated on Friday that some 50 varieties will be used in the trial phase. Chief Scientist, Dr Mahendra Persaud has directed that by the end of April, the trial should commence.
“We are looking now to start wheat production in Guyana. The [Burma] Rice Research Station is leading this process. They have already communicated with our partners overseas and very shortly, we will be having about 50 different varieties to start a trial in Guyana,” the Minister noted.
Mustapha said this move comes as President Irfaan Ali had signalled the need to embark on the production of new crops. He detailed that the country is placing equal attention to sustain traditional crops while it focuses on new projects.
“Unlike before, where wheat only used to grow in temperate climate, there is wheat now that are growing in hot climates like ours. We’re looking for that area to be successful…Although we’re consolidating on our traditional produce, cash crops…we’re now embarking on non-traditional crops that will enhance our country’s future. People depend on these projects for their livelihood.”
Meanwhile, in the department of corn and soya production, the Agriculture Minister informed that a seed planter will be procured to upscale acreage, while facilities will be built to store and dry the grains. The overall aim is to expand production to 25,000 acres.
“Last year, we would have cultivated 125 acres on a trial basis and it was very successful. This year, we hope to increase that by 3000 acres and eventually by 25,000 acres so there is a need for a seed planter, rather than doing it manually.”
He added, “We’re working closely with the consortium that we have formed and we’re working with them in a public-private partnership. This year, we will be building the silos there so that they can have the facilities to dry the soya and corn when they’re reaped. Eventually, we will be self-sufficient in producing our own soya and corn protein for the livestock industry. Right now, there are lots of competition for food production. The FAO warned that this year, we might fall short about 30 per cent in food production. We are very fortunate in Guyana that we have the ability to produce our own food”.
It was reported that the Ministry has made strides in completing its work programme last year, with a remarkable 94 per cent. Mustapha reminded that his Ministry has a domino effect on the population, making the execution of its mandate critically important.
He underscored, “In terms of achieving our work programme, we were able to achieve 94 per cent. That showed the kind of way we have been pushing this work programme. In a way, the Ministry of Agriculture has very critical programmes that people depend on. So, when our agency executes a programme, there are a number of persons that would benefit and depend on the programme for their livelihood.”
Guyana is embarking on wheat production at a time when global prices are soaring – due to the going Ukraine-Russia war. This has contributed to inflated prices for food items.
Reuters had reported that Russia’s invasion in February has ‘severely hampered trade from Black Sea ports, driving up global Chicago benchmark wheat prices by 40 per cent and further pushing global food inflation that was already the highest in a decade.
“Supply disruptions from Russia and Ukraine, which together account for 30 per cent of world wheat exports and 20 per cent of corn exports, will erode food security for millions of people, with the Middle East and North Africa especially vulnerable due to their reliance on imports,” reports added.