Investments in agriculture paying great dividends – Guyana listed for FAO award for curtailing hunger and improving nutrition

GUYANA is among 17 countries that have been recognised by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for achieving the target of curtailing hunger and improving nutrition.

Deslyn Fraser a Region 5 farmer receiving a land certificate from President Donald Ramotar

President Donald Ramotar made the announcement on the occasion of World Environment Day

According to the President, Guyana is one of 17 countries out of 189 countries that are being recognised by the FAO which works on not only achieving the Millennium Development Goal as far as cutting hunger is concerned, but only one of 17 countries that have actually improved nutrition.

No small accomplishment

The announcement was made in light of startling figures whereby about one – third of global food production either being lost or wasted amounting to about one billion tonnes of food yearly even as people, particularly children, the world over are starving.

Competing comfortably with imported food stuff a wonderful spin off of the agriculture sector

At the launch of the Hungry Free Initiative in July of 2012 it was reported that 52.5 million people in the Caribbean and Latin America are still undernourished and there was grave concern about the lack of immediacy in addressing the issue.

For Guyana’s accomplishment, it will receive an award at a ceremony in Italy, Rome later this month.

For Guyana it is a reflection of a country staying on target with the requirements to improve the quality of life for its citizens and probably a model to the rest of the world.

“There must be something we are doing right to have achieved this.