During the periods June 17 to July 12, 2019 and July 22 to August 9 2019, technicians from the Guyana Livestock Authority (GLDA) and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) were exposed to specialized training sessions on Sustainable Livestock and crops Production Systems. These activities supported by IICA were held at the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Centre (CATIE) in Turrialba, Costa Rica. These technology transfer workshops targeted twenty-four (24) technical officers twelve (12) each from both institutions.
The training objectives targeting GLDA technical staff were:
- Present theoretical and practical bases for the selection and management of herbaceous and woody species to be used in pastures and silvo-pastures in the Guyana livestock production systems.
- Develop practical exercises that contribute to training Guyanese professionals, in environmental livestock issues and agro-forestry models.
- Strengthen the participants’ capacities in the implementation of the Field Schools Methodology in their work programs.
- Build capacity of technician’s skills in understand the analysis of value chains with cattle, pigs and goats,.
- Reinforce the applications for business models for the operation of successful livestock and crops enterprises.
The training for NAREI staff was developed in modules. These were presented in both theoretical and practical formats. Technicians were particularly engaged in numerous field trips to commercial farms focusing on cassava, citrus and cocoa production, plant nurseries and agro-industrial facilities. Technicians, gained exposure to the use of equipment utilized for post-harvesting management and were able to visit biotechnology laboratories that provided farmers with pest and disease-free materials. Further, the training provided knowledge into new approaches for crops innovation and research with much focus on cocoa cultivation, specifically, nursery and grafting managements, planting, shade management, pruning, pest and disease control, fertilization, weed control, genetic improvement, harvesting, fermentation, drying, quality, markets, and price formulation.
Both courses offered potential through capacity building of technical officer representing the extension system for both institutions to better serve the agricultural sector in Guyana. It is envisaged from the exposure the technology transfer will serve to improve productivity and competitiveness.
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