FAO rep. warns about labour shortage in Agri. sector due to oil industry

By Bibi Khatoon

Local representative of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Reuben Robertson has warned against the movement of labour from agriculture sub-sectors to the petroleum industry, as the FAO continues to push its agenda of eliminating hunger and poverty.

“Let us, through this dialogue, recognise the real challenges to the sector with the coming of oil in 2020. The movement of labour from a highly labour intensive agriculture to more lucrative paying jobs, could create shortage of labour for agriculture production in a sector which is already plagued with aging population, low productivity, and one which requires creativity and incentives to stimulate young people to become involved,” the FAO representative told attendees at the National Dialogue on Wednesday.

The Dialogue is being held at the Regency Suites, Hadfield Street, Georgetown, ahead of the FAO’s 35th Regional Conference slated for March 05-08 in Jamaica.

Already, with the closure of several estates, the Government has been touting employment opportunities in the oil sector.

However, to solve the impending problems, the FAO representative called for the urgent modernization of the agriculture sector to make it more responsive and competitive as the demand for food increases.  It was noted that the already high food import bill and poverty levels will increase if this is not done.

“We have very little time, less than 20 months to strengthen existing systems and to find new approaches to agriculture and rural development in Guyana if we are to fight inequality, overcome poverty, position the country to achieve the sustainable development goals and have a competitive and sustainable agriculture in a green state,” Mr Robertson told the gathering.

The FAO representative pointed to the need for partnerships with universities, businesses and other agencies to improve the sector.

Also addressing the event was Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry, Vibert Welch and Agriculture  Minister, Noel Holder.