Visiting Caricom leaders hail Guyana’s shade house initiative

– laud Govt for its investment in agriculture, youth

The Government of Guyana’s shade house initiative, which has so far resulted in 54 shade houses being constructed in Mon Repos, has been lauded by several regional leaders including Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley as “impressive”.
The shade house project was on Friday toured by President Dr Irfaan Ali, Trinidadian Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and Antiguan Prime Minister Gaston Brown.
It was explained during the tour that 60 per cent of the youths working on the project are female and Rowley in his remarks praised the whole concept. According to the Prime Minister, agriculture has transitioned from a sector that wasn’t seen as a viable career for young people, to one that attracts the latest tech and best talents.
“I am very impressed with seeing you. I heard about you. Because President Ali and I talk about these things. But you know, talking about something, seeing it and hearing it are two different things. I am so impressed in seeing so many young people who would have turned their attention or allowed their attention to be turned, to agriculture.”
“Our history is one where agriculture was forced on our people. Either slavery or indentureship. And at a later stage that changed to some kind of freedom. And our parents and grandparents would have done agriculture because it was the only option. But somewhere deep in our culture, is an aversion to doing agriculture.”
Rowley also urged them to work together and not let strife divide them, since many were looking to them and the example they set. In fact, as Rowley put it, the entire Caribbean Community (Caricom) was depending on them and others like them. According to him, it is important that they capitalise on the investment Government was making.

“The only thing I want to caution you young people about, is your own behaviour. These types of arrangements have a way of attracting certain types of people who do not cooperate with other people. And their behaviour eventually causes the fabric of this type of cooperation to disintegrate. And then the next thing you hear is that this one not getting along with that one, this one want more and the next thing you know, the whole thing fall apart.”
“Please, see your neighbour, your friend, your colleague here, as a partner at all times. And work with others. Don’t be selfish. Share your thoughts. Share your efforts. And share the proceeds. Let this not be a fleeting investment of the Government. Because the Government is making an investment not only in you, but those who aren’t here but will be the beneficiaries of what you do,” Rowley said.
Meanwhile, Skerrit also commended the initiative and noted the importance of agriculture to the region. He pointed to the health implications and the impact of Communicable and Non-Communicable diseases (CNCDs).
“It’s important for us to get involved. To be constructive and progressive. And agriculture is the route to go. There is an opportunity to be successful through agriculture. You can make money out of agriculture if you apply yourself. Look at what we import. Most, if not all of what we import, can be produced in Caricom. That is what we’re here to discuss as Caricom Heads.”
“To set out our plan, to address the problem of our food import bill. And very importantly, protecting our health. The rate of CNCDs is at an alarming rate. The impact on our economy because of CNCDs is huge. And I always say to my people in Dominica, COVID isn’t our main threat. CNCDs is.”
So far, 54 shade houses have been constructed and it is understood that they are planning to construct 100 in total. Additionally, the plan is to extend to 300 shade houses countrywide. When it comes to the growing substrate used, it was explained that this consists of sugar cane and rice paddy by-products.