State leaders essential in driving region’s food system -Guyana Vice President

(Department of Public Information Press Release) Vice President (of Guyana), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to see a 25 percent reduction in its food import bill by 2025, massive investments must be made by state leaders.

The Vice President said the political strength of regional leaders is essential in cutting through the challenges currently being encountered, to achieve a massive food system.

“We can’t leave here without that commitment, this process has to be driven right up from the top,” Dr. Jagdeo emphasised on Friday, while speaking on key binding constraints of the agriculturesector, during day two of the Agri-Investment Forum and Expo, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

The region currently expends some $6 billion to import food annually. The Vice President explained that for the sum to decrease by 25 percent by 2025, it means that outputs have to increase by more than 1.5 billion in three and a half years.

“This means that we have to have a champion in each country for these measures. And it means intervention from the Presidents or the Office of the Prime Minister for each region. This cannot be driven simply by a Minister of Agriculture.

Read more at: Department of Public Information

Source: CARICOM TODAY