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Great prospects for agricultural cooperation between Guyana & VI- Dr the Hon Dawson

As the Virgin Islands (VI) seeks to increase production in agriculture and fisheries, Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr the Honourable Karl Dawson (R1) said there are great prospects for cooperation between Guyana and the VI. Photo: GIS
The Visiting Virgin Islands (VI) delegation held discussions with Guyana’s Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, 5th from left, on strengthening ties to support agricultural development between the two countries. Third from right is Virgin Islands' Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr the Hon Karl Dawson (R1), while 2nd from right is Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Theodore E. James. Photo: MOA//Gov't of Guyana
The Visiting Virgin Islands (VI) delegation held discussions with Guyana’s Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, 5th from left, on strengthening ties to support agricultural development between the two countries. Third from right is Virgin Islands' Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr the Hon Karl Dawson (R1), while 2nd from right is Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Theodore E. James. Photo: MOA//Gov't of Guyana
Farmlands in Guyana. Photo: Facebook
Farmlands in Guyana. Photo: Facebook
Dr Dawson added that Guyana has a very extensive technical network interface for gathering information on farmers across Guyana and a very comprehensive interface for seeing that information and laying out that data which is something that could potentially be implemented in the VI. Photo: Internet Source
Dr Dawson added that Guyana has a very extensive technical network interface for gathering information on farmers across Guyana and a very comprehensive interface for seeing that information and laying out that data which is something that could potentially be implemented in the VI. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– As the Virgin Islands (VI) seeks to increase production in agriculture and fisheries, Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr the Honourable Karl Dawson (R1) said there are great prospects for cooperation between Guyana and the VI.

Dr Dawson made the comments during a press conference yesterday, August 15, 2023, on the recent trade mission to Guyana and what was achieved as part of the visit.

Guyana has rich history of agriculture - Dr Dawson 

“I’m very grateful that the Deputy Premier thought to include me in my role as Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries on this trip, and it's very fitting because we, as a trust of our government, really want to move agriculture and fisheries forward to increase production in both of these areas in the coming years."

Dr Dawson continued, “Guyana certainly has a good and rich history in the area of agriculture from which we can learn lessons and still have mutually beneficial relationships.” 

He said Caricom has set a goal for reducing imports to the region by 25% by the year 2025 and Guyana is one of the leading countries that is moving the agenda forward.

Meanwhile, Dr Dawson said the focus of the trip from his point of view was to try to interact with government officials related to agriculture, as well as government agencies and educational institutions related to agriculture and members of the private sector.

He said that was achieved with meetings with a number of key persons in agriculture in Guyana and visits to institutions, whom he said were very receptive. 

Shade houses  & data gathering 

Dr Dawson added that Guyana has a very extensive technical network interface for gathering information on farmers across Guyana and a very comprehensive interface for seeing that information and laying out that data, which is something that could potentially be implemented in the VI.

The Jr Minister also spoke of the use of shade houses in agriculture as a version of greenhouses as another possible application for use in the Virgin Islands. 

“So, we see technical support, technical cooperation as one of the key outcomes for us from this mission and cooperation," Dr Dawson said, adding that there's an opportunity also for the potential for imports of feed for animals from Guyana.

16 Responses to “Great prospects for agricultural cooperation between Guyana & VI- Dr the Hon Dawson”

  • The watchdog (16/08/2023, 11:54) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good lord Hope this is not just talk
  • asking for a friend (16/08/2023, 11:57) Like (76) Dislike (1) Reply
    Am I the only one here Who thinks 4 years from now nothing will happen in agriculture?
    • The Poli.Farmer (16/08/2023, 12:53) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      @asking for a friend: ask for me too because at this point I have lost all confidence.

      The Junior Minister rooting his horn but ask him where is the VI Food Security and Sustainability Act……

      You cannot move forward with regional integration if you haven’t successfully integrated the localized administration of the sector! You MUST establish the administrative bodies of the Legislation FIRST!!! Or else all actions are deemed unsustainable and subject to repetition!
  • Know your History.. (16/08/2023, 12:03) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    All of this effort, energy and benefits should have been extended to Santo Domingo Base on Our History and the important role Santo Domingo played...
    • @ know your history (16/08/2023, 12:49) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      For them Spanish women to take our men and husbands ?
      • @know your history (16/08/2023, 19:04) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Did they kidnap them? You're putting the blame the wrong place!
  • Self sufficient (16/08/2023, 12:54) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Global food shortages on the horizon, so you better get your act together and start taking agriculture serious and not only talk and start planting your own crops. Cozying up to Guyana and caricom because you all want to lean on them to import food. That is why it is good to be welcoming to expats who would know you would have need them now!!
  • omg (16/08/2023, 13:17) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    The visa requirement for Guyanese Nationals MUST remain in place.
  • action (16/08/2023, 14:00) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    YOU WENT YOU SEE, YOU COME YOU TALK. TIME FOR ACTION
  • Pot empty (17/08/2023, 01:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Free Sargassum weed makes excellent fertilizer for agriculture so start exporting it to Guyana. Job done Mr Minister
  • Socrates (17/08/2023, 12:30) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Generalities, generalities, generalities, etc. Where are the specifics, specifics, Specifics? How are the Guyanese going to help us increase the quality and yield per acre of agriculture? What lands are reserved for agricultural production? What agricultural products will the Guyanese export to the BVI? What incentives, taxbreaks/benefits, assistance ,if any, etc., are being proposed for farmers? What benefits, if any, are the Guyanese going to get from the VI, ie, lifting of visa requirements, etc? What is the immediate and longer term return on this trade mission investment? Will the Guyanese be providing oil on a reduced cost per barrel?
    • @Socrates (18/08/2023, 08:32) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Socrates, Guyana found oil within borders but lacks the skill, resources , etc to control the production, distribution, etc., of oil. Consequently, it has to outsource the production, distribution of oil to the BIG oil companies, receiving pittance. Like the majority of African countries , it has a resource curse, ie, rich in natural resources but lack the skill to use their natural resources,ie, to manufacture to put their people to work. Others import their resources to put their people to work. Guyana is a resource rich country but relatively poor so the the pittance it gets from the BIG oil companies will go a long way if employed properly to improve the development of the country and lives of the people. So Guyana will not be influencing what price the BVI pays for oil,. In fact let us see what price Guyanese pay for oil.
      • @Socrates (18/08/2023, 13:39) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

        Guyana found oil, hitting an unexpected theoretical windfall. It is listed on paper as being among the richest countries in the world based on GDP per capita, ranking #54 among almost 200 countries. Does Guyana newfound wealth benefiting the masses? Is the newfound wealth benefiting just a few in the top 1%, if that? What are the Guyanese GDP per capita income? GDP per capita is a frequently used metric but is a misleading number. For example, the BVI boasts of having a GDP per capita income of approx $34,000. Is the the average income in BVI $35K? There are few high income earners who are outliers. In regards to Guyana helping BVI with lower oil prices per barrel, that is a big question mark. Guyana is not in the drivers seat to make that happen. Venezuela did that for Cuba and other regional countries but it had control of the process.

        Moreover, prior to Guyana finding oil, it was viewed as a poor country in South America and a former colony of the Uk. However, as soon as it found oil, the shameless parasites, including the UK, BVI, etc changed their tune and attitude towards Guyana and Guyanese, rolling out the red carpet. For example, the UK lifted the visa requirement and the BVI considering the same. If I were Guyana, I would the opportunist parasites to go jump in the Demerara River. Bunch of parasites and opportunists. Cart ah yu r@$$.

        • Colonialism (18/08/2023, 19:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          Colonialism was an exploitive and extractive institution that raped the colonies of meagre resources and slave labour to wealth and European countries development. Slavery failing as an institution, resources depleted, etc,, the colonialists bolted with supersonic speed, leaving British Guyana(now Guyana) poor, with undeveloped infrastructure, undeveloped institutions, ie, schools, healthcare, public safety, economy, etc. But did the parasites actually leave? No. Colonialism was replaced with something else, ie, neocolonialism— neocolonialism, the control of less-developed countries by developed countries through indirect means—. Look no further than Guyana for the parasites trying to suck the blood out of the host. That is what parasites do. Just as they exploited resources and slave labour, they will leave no stone unturned to benefit from Guyana oil find. Poor countries with natural resources often lack the capital, technical skills, etc, to use their natural resources for the full benefit of their people. They often contract out the extraction and export it, lacking the capacity and capability to use resources for the full benefit of citizens of the country.
  • Quiet Rebel (19/08/2023, 05:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    @Colonialism, that is real talk. The parasites are at it again, sucking the blood out of host(s), ie, former less developed colonies, etc. The Europeans feel it was their right to flee their depressed conditions innEurooe to come to the new world ( it is was not new)to acquire property, take the Indians land, used free slave labour, build wealth, create a social construct—-RACE—deeming themselves racial superior with special unearned privileges, entitlements, upper class, etc status. They came, duped, raped , exploited and left but they are back like the parasites they are, for without the host the parasites die. Let the parasites die. How many times do you have to get burn to learn? The Colonialists are parasites, opportunists, with a racial superiority attitude and subscribe to the social Darwinism lie, and convenient nonsense, using selected bible verses to support their superiority nonsense. Tell the parasites, users, exploiters, etc to scatter their R@@S. Guyanese need to tell the parasites to take a hike.
  • Righttttt (25/08/2023, 06:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Something about this doesn’t feel right….


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