THE impact of the global food price increases has once again engaged the attention of the National Assembly, with Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud on Thursday moving the motion for Parliament to recognise the impact of the phenomenon on the cost of living in Guyana and for the assembly to follow the implementation of government interventions.

The increase of food prices has long been an issue on the international agenda and has been as a result of the increase in the price for fossil fuel, the effects of climate change, the increase in production of bio-fuels and the growing demand for food in emerging countries such as China and India.

The crisis, according to Minister Persaud, is having devastating effects on the supply and affordability of food for populations in both developing and developed nations.

Urgent action and collaboration to tackle the crisis has engaged the attention of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the World Bank, the World Food Programme and CARICOM.

Guyana, working with CARICOM, intends to transform the country into a major player ensuring food security in the region.

“The government has recognised the problem and has empathized and made statements saying the situation can have an impact on the living conditions of our people,” Minister Persaud said.

He said government, since 2007, began observing some indications of the phenomenon and began contemplating measures. He, however, indicated that the opposition has failed to place this on their discussion agenda.

Minister Persaud highlighted the many interventions undertaken by government that have gained acceptance and success in response to the rising food prices phenomenon.

He said as a result of the Jagdeo Initiative on agriculture, regional heads of government became cognizant of the magnitude of the crisis and the solutions that were needed.

He said government’s interventions are gaining international recognition and these bodies are now trying to determine how they can adopt and fashion a global response.

Locally, the Minister said, a number of fruitful countrywide community consultations have been held to garner feedback from Guyanese.

The ‘Grow More’ campaign was alluded to by the Minister as one of the mechanisms to combat the rising food price increase.

It ensures farmers adopt self sufficient methods that will reduce their monthly expenditure.

People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Member of Parliament Winston Murray while responding, said his party has acknowledged the international impact of the food prices but however, disagrees with the timeliness of government’s interventions on the issue.

He said the motion should have included a clause calling for debate and approval in the National Assembly for a national agricultural development plan.

Minister Persaud noted, however, that the objective of the motion is to recognise the source of the food prices problem, that efforts are being made and that its success is determined by the involvement of all stakeholders.

&We must also send the clear message that protests and other distracted activities will not put food on the table of our people and will not put more money in their pockets. What will do this is for them to grow more,” Minister Persaud posited.

Murray also criticised the administration’s efforts to improve drainage and irrigation infrastructure which are the necessary interventions to facilitate farmers. He said not enough has been done on maintenance, particularly in the Mahaica-Mahaicony Abary/Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA).

Minister Persaud acknowledged that the neglect of D&I infrastructure in the past has led to the neglect of the land by farmers but noted that government is now vigorously pursuing restoration and is also exploring the development of new areas.

He disclosed that by the end of this year, close to 18,000 acres of new land will be available for farmers across the country.