The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Delegation in Guyana facilitated yet another initiative to improve the nutritional intake of livestock in Guyana. The Institute has partnered with the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) of the Ministry of agriculture to facilitate an eight (8) day working visit during the period November 29 to December 5, 2022.
This pasture improvement project is part of a larger plan to improve the nutritive capability of beef, dairy and small ruminants in selected areas of Guyana. Dr. da Fonte’s eight-day visit included a presentation on the establishment and management of improved pastures. His presentation focused on the suitability of pasture grasses for livestock. Further, the Specialist informed the Technical Officers on the nutritive values of various pasture types and their adaptability to different soil conditions, eco-systems, and the importance of pasture husbandry. The Specialist in the company of IICA Representative in Guyana/CARICOM Liaison, Mr. Wilmot Garnett and GLDA’s Livestock Officer, Mr. Norbert Felix, paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, Minister of Agriculture where he was appraised of the activities planned and the benefits of the visit.
Practical sessions were held in the following areas:
- Region 3 Various farm holdings on the West Coast and West Bank of Demerara.
- Region 4 Moblissa
- Region 5 Mahaicony River and Ellis, aback of the Blairmount Sugar estate
- Region 6 Intermediate savannahs – Ebini and Kawkwani
- Region 9 North Karasabai, Shulinab among other areas.
- Region 10 Goat farm
On each occasion Dr. da Fonte made recommendations for the appropriate management plans and recommended specific varieties that would be adaptable to the targeted eco-zone and livestock species. Additionally, the GLDA and IICA have purchased the recommended improved grasses species for planting as soon as the weather permits. Building long-term relationship with Dr. da Fonte will see him working in Guyana through regular technical visits.
For more information, please contact us at iica.guyana@iica.int
