Recognizing that India is an undisputed powerhouse in agricultural production, Guyanese authorities are working aggressively with officials in the Asian nation to leverage its research and innovative technologies with an aim to boost local production.
Making this revelation today at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC), was Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo. He said the administration is working to solidify a work plan that will allow for meaningful cooperation on agriculture, specifically as it relates to the transfer of expertise and technology. Dr. Jagdeo said such an initiative follows on the heels of discussions sparked during President, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s visit to India in January 2023. He said these engagements continued during his six-day engagement there last month. 
Dr. Jagdeo said it is the administration’s intention to increase productivity in every industry and to move from a peasant-type farming system to a modernized agri-business. “We need the expertise from many parts of the world to transform these industries into agri-businesses and with high levels of productivity. In India, the variety of cane there for example will give you probably two to three times the output that you would get from a single acre of cane here. Similarly, the rice varieties yield much more,” expressed the Vice President.
He also shared that India is able to see exceptional yields given its use of nano-fertilizers which are more advantageous over conventional fertilizers. This news agency understands that nano-fertilizers increase soil fertility yield and quality parameters of the crop, are nontoxic, and also minimize cost while maximizing profit.
The Vice President said too that officials from both nations are discussing the expansion and modernization of tissue culture facilities here.
Tissue culture involves the cultivation of plant cells, tissues, or organs on specially formulated nutrient media. Under the right conditions, an entire plant can be regenerated from a single cell.
With tissue culture, Dr. Jagdeo said Guyana would increase its capability to cultivate millions of plants in a short period of time, while ensuring that all farmers have the same consistency in quality and productivity. “So we want to work with India to bring in these facilities. It would be a big boost to say the cane farming industry… We are looking to have this replicated in spices, aquaculture, livestock, and coconut growing too…,” the official said.
Dr. Jagdeo said that over the next few months, Guyana is expected to welcome several specialists from India to examine the foregoing areas and fast-track Guyana’s journey to greater agricultural productivity.
