The Ministry of Agriculture and Cuba have taken a step to deepen their relation in the field of agriculture with emphasis being placed on developing the production of honey here, a mutual interest of both countries.
This was made possible through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Saturday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Georgetown where the Agri-Investment Forum and Expo is ongoing.
The agreement was signed by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Delma Nedd and Ambassador of Cuba to Guyana, Jorge Francisco Soberón Luis.
The objective of the MoU is the establish a general framework of cooperation between the Ministries of Agriculture in Guyana and Cuba with focus being placed on vegetable products, livestock and animal products, forestry and other areas of interest.
In delivering remarks, Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Madanlall Ramraj said the agreement forms part of the shared aspiration of Guyana and Cuba to develop wide, effective and reciprocal cooperation in agriculture.
“As we seek to transform the regional agri food system towards food commercialisation, improve the sustainability of the agriculture sector in the region and reduce the region’s high food import bill, we are developing cooperation with countries that have some of the best agriculture practices and Cuba is one such country,” Ramraj said.
He added, “Guyana’s forest has great potential for apiculture. If exploited, it can create employment and sustainable income for the population residing in the hinterland area…and will allow for the increase of the production of honey to meet the 25 by 2025 initiative allowing Guyana to become an exporter of honey in CARICOM.”
According to Ramraj, the agreement will allow for mutual projects including urban and sub urban agriculture, genetic improvement and seed production of rice and other grains, advice on plant health, safe and effective use of pesticide production and conservation in the use of biological products.
And to enhance this, Ramraj noted that “very soon” Guyana will be signing a technical assistance agreement with Cuban company, CADEK, which will allow for technical assistance for bee keepers, advice on monitoring bee population, trained veterinary technician in the branch of bee keeping, identifying diseases of bee and necessary treatment which will boost the honey industry in Guyana.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Luis said the agreement is a clear indication of the expansion of ties between the two countries.
“We believe this is a very important step towards achieving greater food security, food production,” he said.
He added, “Guyana has a main goal, in CARICOM in the area of food security and production and Cuba is part of that effort. So, we are making our contribution in that area.”
According to the Ambassador, Cuba looks forward to the beginning the “new chapter” to achieve “bigger and better” results.
“We will work with the Ministry of Agriculture in Guyana to bring about technical services and to showcase opportunities also in the area of business and production. So, we can join forces with Guyana in order to achieve these outcomes,” he said.
