Additional branches, scholarships among plans for GSA

PERSONS who are interested in pursuing studies within the field of agriculture will soon benefit from scholarship programmes at the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) which is also to establish branches in several remote regions.

This was recently made known by Minister Zulfikar Mustapha during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

The minister stated that while many may think that there are very few millennials who are interested in the agriculture sector, within the last four months he has observed a renewed interest in this field, especially among the youth.

“I think that perception has changed. [During] my outreaches around the country a number of young people are coming forward and they want to play a part in agriculture,” he said.

The minister added: “I have been going across different parts of the country and a lot of young people have been coming on board.”

According to Minister Mustapha, this renewed interest and determination of some of the upcoming farmers and agriculturist have pushed him to start sponsoring scholarship programmes for those who may not be able to attend the University of Guyana or the Guyana School of Agriculture.

“…recently I started out to sponsor young people who are going to the University of Guyana. I have already given out a scholarship this year to the Berbice Cricket Board and I plan to extend that scholarship to different parts of the country,” he informed.

Additionally, the minister stated that, in the new year, he will extend the institution to various parts of the country to provide the full agriculture learning experience to prospective students who live in remote areas across the country, starting with Berbice.

“I also plan to take a branch of the Guyana School of Agriculture to Berbice in the new year so that we can have more young people interested in the agriculture sector,” he said.

Aside from the extension, the Minister stated that the school will be revamped to have a new outlook starting with a new and more vigorous curriculum to prepare graduates for their respective careers within the sector.

“I am looking now to revamp the whole curriculum so that we can teach practical things and teach topics that will help our country within the agriculture sector,” he said.

The minister stressed on government’s determination to ensure Guyanese across the country have access to the institution.

“We will be expanding the curriculum and also expanding the school to different parts of the country so that we can have more persons going to the school of agriculture,” he added.

The goal, the minister noted, is to ensure the school’s continued international recognition and to offer scholarship programmes to other Caribbean territories.

“I had a meeting with some of [my] colleagues within the Caribbean and they are requesting that we should provide them with scholarships in the Caribbean so we are looking,” he said.

Currently there are two Agriculture schools in the country, one at Mon Repos, East Coast of Demerara and the other is at Cotton Field, Essequibo Coast.

The programmes being offered at the school are Diploma in Agriculture, Diploma in Livestock Production & Management, Diploma in Animal Health & Veterinary Public Health, Certificate in Agriculture, Certificate in Forestry, Certificate in Fisheries Studies and Certificate in Agro Processing.