On October 16, 2019 the official World Food Day event was held at the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Estate Ground on the East Coast of Demerara. The event which featured an opening ceremony focused upon the theme:
“Our Actions Are Our Future. Healthy Diets for a Zero Hunger World”
The Minister of Agriculture, Honorable Noel Holder in his address focused upon numerous activities within the agricultural sector as interventions to ensure food security for all, specifically the access to safe food throughout Guyana. He posited that there must be the maintenance of a healthy and productive population. The Minister mentioned the successful passing of the Food Safety and Animal welfare bills, and commented that;
“The Food Safety Bill in its entirety would assist in the prevention of food borne diseases through the control of the production, preparation, handling, storage and transportation of food and traceability. It would also coordinate and regulate the fragmented system for food safety in Guyana, alleviate the high levels of diarrhea diseases in children under five, and promote more market opportunities for producers”.
It must be noted that IICA among other developmental partners facilitated in the formulation of the Food Safety Bill.
The event also staged an agricultural exhibition with the participation of over 40 exhibitors comprising all the agricultural agencies, IICA, FAO, Carnegie, University of Guyana, farmers, agro-processors and many other stakeholders of the Ministry of Agriculture including a food court and a salad booth.
Apart from its representation in the official ceremony IICA was well represented through its sponsorship of the Women Agro-Processors’ Development Network (WADN) and the Guyana Apiculture Society (GAS) who were able to advertise and market numerous agro-processed items and value added apicultural products including a quantity of flavored oils and soaps. It is the strategy of the Guyana Delegation to offer opportunities for market access for these groups, providing pathways to alleviate poverty and enhance food security within rural and urban communities.
For More Information, Please Contact:
iica.guyana@iica.int
