President Dr. Irfaan Ali says Guyana will soon commence cultivation trials for millet production to support the transition to large-scale production of the seed locally.
In a virtual address at the Inauguration of the Global Millet Conference in New Delhi, India, Ali said that the production here could support poverty reduction and that the regions selected for the trials represent the profit zone in which similar crops like corn and soya are adaptive and being produced on a large scale.
India has been a global leader in the production of millets, and Guyana has committed to making some 200 acres of land available to India for exclusive millet production.
“Guyana looks forward to strengthening its cooperation with India to kickstart large, medium, and small-scale production of millets. India is the largest millet producer in the world, and through collaboration, Guyana hopes to embark soon on the sustainable production of millets,” Ali said, as he highlighted the role millet production plays in addressing the global food insecurity issue.
He said Guyana has identified the production of millets as having great potential for enhancing national and regional food security.
Millets are a highly varied group of small seeds and cereal crops. They are a powerhouse of nutrients, rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fibers.
Based on the required environmental conditions for millet germination, Guyana is considered an ideal zone for the growth and development of the seed.
Importantly, millet production would open up additional avenues for economic advancement, providing a new market for export.
Moreover, the crop is resilient to climate change, making it a worthwhile venture to achieve sustainability.
The undertaking is in keeping with the implementation of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM’s) ‘25 by 2025’ vision of reducing its food import bill by approximately US$1 billion by 2025, in dropping reliance on imported cereal grains.
“Together, we can achieve sustainable development, eliminate hunger, adapt to climate change, and transform agri-food systems by exploring every viable opportunity,” President Ali said.
Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, who is in India, participated in the Global Millet ‘Shree Anna’ Conference featuring health experts, policymakers, international speakers, and key stakeholders connected to the field of food safety and nutrition discussing the various aspects of millet, including promotion, and value chain development.
CMC/
