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COUNTRY REPORTS

THE STATE OF GUYANA’S BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

This country report has been prepared by the national authorities as a contribution to the FAO publication, The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture. The report is being made available by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as requested by the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The information in this report has not been verified by FAO, and the content of this document is entirely the responsibility of the authors, and does not necessarily represent the views of FAO, or its Members. The designations employed and the presentation of material do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.

The State of Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture in Guyana

August, 2016

Ministry of Agriculture,

Republic of Guyana

i

FORWARD

The Guyana Country Report has been produced as part of the multi-year program of work for the

strategic plan for the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. It will be used

to prepare the report on State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture (SoWBFA)

which will be presented at the Commission of Genetic Resources Sixteenth Regular Session in

2017. The SoWBFA report will provide a global assessment on biodiversity for food and

agriculture and will be based on information from the compilation of country reports.

The Country Report for Guyana targeted the specific sectors related to genetic resources for food

and agriculture. It utilized available information from research and studies of key agricultural

institutions, other governmental agencies, international bodies, learning institutions, and other

relevant stakeholders.

At a national level, this report will act as a tool to improve policies and strengthen corporation

across and within sectors. It will also provide a starting point to identify: gaps in data; limitations

of existing agricultural practices; and future actions required to maintain and improve food

security and sustainable livelihoods of producers through the conservation and sustainable

management of biodiversity for food and agriculture.

ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FORWARD...................................................................................................................................... i

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................................... v

LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ vii

LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... ix

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE COUNTRY AND TO THE ROLE OF BIODIVERSITY FOR

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ....................................................................................................... 1

1.1 GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE COUNTRY ................................................................... 3

1.2 ROLE OF BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ...................................... 6

1.3 PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN GUYANA .......................................................................... 7

CHAPTER 2 DRIVERS OF CHANGE .............................................................................................................. 27

2.1 EFFECTS OF DRIVERS OF CHANGE ON ASSOCIATED BIODIVERSITY............... 28

2.2 EFFECTS OF DRIVERS OF CHANGE ON BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND

AGRICULTURE ....................................................................................................................... 35

2.3 EFFECTS OF DRIVERS OF CHANGE ON ECOSYSTEM SERVICES ......................... 47

2.4 EFFECTS OF DRIVERS OF CHANGE ON WILD FOODS ............................................ 61

2.5 EFFECTS OF DRIVERS OF CHANGE ON TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, GENDER

AND RURAL LIVELIHOODS ................................................................................................ 62

2.6 COUNTERMEASURES ADDRESSING CURRENT AND EMERGING DRIVERS OF

CHANGE, BEST PRACTICES AND LESSONS LEARNED ................................................ 65

CHAPTER 3 THE STATE AND TRENDS OF BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ........ 68

3.1 OVERALL SYNTHESIZED ASSESSMENT OF FOREST, AQUATIC, ANIMAL OR

PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES ............................................................................................ 69

3.2 STATE AND TRENDS OF ASSOCIATED BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM

SERVICES ................................................................................................................................ 71

iii

3.3 SPECIES OF ASSOCIATED BIODIVERSITY AT RISK OF LOSS ............................... 92

3.4 CONSERVATION OF ASSOCIATED BIODIVERSITY ................................................. 93

3.5 STATE AND TRENDS OF WILD RESOURCES USED FOR FOOD ............................ 97

3.6 WILD FOOD RESOURCES AT RISK .............................................................................. 97

3.7 CONSERVATION OF WILD RESOURCES USED FOR FOOD .................................... 98

3.8 NATURAL OR HUMAN-MADE DISASTERS AND BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND

AGRICULTURE ....................................................................................................................... 99

3.9 INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES AND BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND

AGRICULTURE ..................................................................................................................... 104

3.10 SIMILARITIES, DIFFERENCES AND INTERACTIONS .......................................... 106

3.11 GAPS AND PRIORITIES .............................................................................................. 106

CHAPTER 4 THE STATE OF USE OF BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE .................. 111

4.2 THE USE OF MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OR ACTIONS THAT FAVOR OR

INVOLVE THE USE OF BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ............... 112

4.2 SUSTAINABLE USE OF BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ........ 138

4.3 THE CONTRIBUTION OF BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE IN

IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY, FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION, LIVELIHOODS,

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES, SUSTAINABILITY, RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABLE

INTENSIFICATION. .............................................................................................................. 143

4.4 THE ADOPTION OF ECOSYSTEM APPROACHES .................................................... 145

4.5 GAPS AND PRIORITIES ................................................................................................ 148

CHAPTER 5 THE STATE OF INTERVENTIONS ON CONSERVATION AND USE OF BIODIVERSITY

FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE .......................................................................................... 152

5.1 NATIONAL POLICIES, PROGRAMMES AND ENABLING FRAMEWORKS THAT

SUPPORT OR INFLUENCE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF

BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE AND THE PROVISION OF

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES ..................................................................................................... 153

iv

5.2 POLICIES, PROGRAMMES AND ENABLING FRAMEWORKS GOVERNING

EXCHANGE, ACCESS AND BENEFITS ............................................................................ 161

5.3 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT ................................................................................. 163

5.4 STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION AND ONGOING ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT

MAINTENANCE OF BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ..................... 164

5.5 COLLABORATION BETWEEN INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS ............. 170

5.6 CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT ........................................................................................ 176

5.7 KNOWLEDGE GENERATION AND SCIENCE FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND

SUSTAINABLE USE OF BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE .............. 177

5.8 GAPS AND PRIORITIES ................................................................................................ 178

CHAPTER 6 FUTURE AGENDAS FOR CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF

BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ............................................................. 182

6.1 ENHANCING THE CONTRIBUTION OF BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND

AGRICULTURE ..................................................................................................................... 183

6.2 STRENGTHENING THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF ASSOCIATED

BIODIVERSITY AND WILD FOODS .................................................................................. 183

6.3 IMPROVING STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT AND AWARENESS ..................... 184

v

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ABS Access and Benefit Sharing

CBD Convention on Biological Diversity

CWR Crop Wild Relatives

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

GATOSP Guyana Association of Trawler Owners and Seafood Processors

GAWU Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union

GPA Global Action Plan

GDP Gross Domestic Product

GFC Guyana Forestry Commission

GLDA Guyana Livestock Development Authority

GL&SC Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission

GMC New Guyana Marketing Corporation

GMTCS Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society

GRDB Guyana Rice Development Board

GRPA Guyana Rice Producers Association

GuySuCo Guyana Sugar Corporation

IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development

IICA Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

IWOKRAMA International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development

LCDS Low Carbon Development Strategy

MOA Ministry of Agriculture

NAREI National Agricultural Research & Extension Institute

NBAP National Biodiversity Action Plan, Actions for Biodiversity

NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

NISM National Information Sharing Mechanism

PGRFA Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

PTCCB Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board

READ Rural Enterprise and Agricultural Development

vi

TED Turtle Excluder Devices

UG University of Guyana

UNFCC United Nations Framework on Climate Change

WWF World Wildlife Fund

vii

LIST OF TABLES Table 1: The National Committee................................................................................................... 2

Table 2: The Working Group .......................................................................................................... 2

Table 3: Production systems present in the Guyana ....................................................................... 7

Table 4: Description or characterization of production systems within the country ...................... 9

Table 5: Area under production, production quantity and contribution to the agricultural sector

economy of production systems in the country ............................................................................ 21

Table 6: Fisheries Department Export Data Collection Sheet - January - December 2015 ......... 24

Table 7: Effect of drivers on sector biodiversity within production systems in the country, by

animal (AnGR), plant (PGR), aquatic (AqGR) and forest (FGR) genetic resources. .................. 36

Table 8: Major drivers and their effect on ecosystem services in production systems................. 47

Table 9: Drivers affecting availability, knowledge and diversity of wild foods .......................... 61

Table 10: Trends in the state of components of associated biodiversity within production systems

....................................................................................................................................................... 71

Table 11: Trends in the state of regulating and supporting ecosystem services within production

systems. ......................................................................................................................................... 73

Table 12: Impact of changes in biodiversity for food and agriculture on ecosystem services. ... 77

Table 13: Associated biodiversity species that are in some way actively managed in your country

to help provide regulating or supporting ecosystem services. ...................................................... 90

Table 14: Main threats to associated biodiversity identified as at risk. ........................................ 92

Table 15: Ex situ conservation or management activities or programmes for associated

biodiversity for food and agriculture. ........................................................................................... 94

Table 16: In situ conservation or management activities or programmes for associated

biodiversity for food and agriculture. ........................................................................................... 95

Table 17: Wild species used for food in the country. ................................................................... 97

Table 18: Main threats to wild food species identified as at risk................................................. 98

Table 19: Ex situ conservation or management activities or programmes for wild food species. 98

Table 20: In situ conservation or management activities or programmes for wild food species. . 99

Table 21: Natural or human-made disasters that has had a significant effect on biodiversity for

food and agriculture in the past 10 years in the country. ............................................................ 100

viii

Table 22: Flood and Drought Events in Guyana 1990 – 2015 (International Disaster Database,

2016) ........................................................................................................................................... 102

Table 23: Invasive alien species that have had a significant effect on biodiversity for food and

agriculture in the past 10 years. .................................................................................................. 104

Table 24: Management practices that are considered to favor the maintenance and use of

biodiversity for food and agriculture .......................................................................................... 112

Table 25: Diversity based practices that involve the enhanced use of biodiversity for food and

agriculture ................................................................................................................................... 126

Table 26: Major practices that negatively impact associated biodiversity and/or wild foods in the

country ........................................................................................................................................ 138

Table 27: Effect of the lack of biodiversity for food and agriculture on production, food security

and nutrition and livelihood. ....................................................................................................... 143

Table 28: Adoption of and importance assigned to ecosystem approaches in production systems

in the Country ............................................................................................................................. 145

Table 29: Obstacles to developing and implementing legislation that would protect associated

biodiversity identified in the country. ......................................................................................... 160

Table 30: Strategic Objectives, Priority Actions, Targets and Contribution to Aichi Goals and

Targets......................................................................................................................................... 171

Table 31: Higher education programmes specifically targeting the conservation and sustainable

use of associated biodiversity genetic resources in the country. ................................................ 176

Table 32: The Research Institutions in Guyana that are involved in Research on Associated

Biodiversity ................................................................................................................................. 177

ix

LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Map of Guyana Showing the Natural Regions ................................................................ 4

Figure 2: The Ten Administrative Regions in Guyana ................................................................... 5

Figure 3: Map of Guyana Showing the Rice Growing Areas ....................................................... 18

Figure 4: Map of Guyana Showing the Natural Regenerated Forests .......................................... 19

Figure 5: Map of Guyana Showing the Sugar Estates .................................................................. 19

Figure 6: Map of Guyana Showing the EEZ and zoning of the Fishing Areas ............................ 20

Figure 7: Map of Guyana Showing Livestock Production Areas ................................................. 21

Figure 8: Agriculture’s Contribution to the Total GDP – 2000-2005 (UNDP and ECLAC 2006).

..................................................................................................................................................... 103

Figure 9: The Schematic of the Rice Breeding Program at the Rice Research Station. ............. 137

1

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION TO THE COUNTRY AND TO THE ROLE OF

BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

2

Question 1. Provide a description of the process that was followed in preparing the Country

Report, preferably providing the names (with affiliations and addresses) of the participants,

including all stakeholders consulted.

Appointment of the National Focal Point was done by the Government of Guyana in December

2015. The National Committee was formed in April, 2016. Agencies from across the Ministry of

Agriculture was ask to participate in the preparation of the country report; agriculture agencies

included: the Guyana Rice Development Board, the National Agriculture Research and

Extension Institute, The Guyana Sugar Corporation, The Guyana Forestry Commission. There

was also support from other ministries as well as nongovernmental organizations which

included: The Environmental Protection Agency, The World Wildlife Fund, and The United

Nation Food and Agricultural Organization.

Table 1: The National Committee

Representative Agencies M. Persaud - National Focal Point Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) G. Jervis - Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) R. Robertson - Country Representative FAO Guyana N. Hassan - General Manager Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Ida S. Adams - General Manager New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) O. Homenauth - GEO National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) G. Ramnarine - Head, Sugar Cane Research

Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo)

N. Cumberbatch - CEO Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) E. Clarles - Dean Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Guyana Denzil Roberts - Chief Fisheries Officer Fisheries Department Justin McKenzie - Permanent Secretary Natural Resource Department Indarjit Ramdass - CEO Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) J. Singh - Commissioner Forestry Commission

The working group was selected from the agencies listed in table 1 in May 2016, to commence

the preparation of the report. The first session of the working group was held on May 11, 2016.

Discussions of this session were led by the National Focal Point who provided an overview of

the country report and its objectives. Agencies / organizations were asked to complete the

section/s of the report that pertains to their respective agency / organization. Additional

assistance was provided by the National Focal Point and National Committee to the working

group as the need arises.

3

Table 2: The Working Group

Representative Agencies M. Persaud - National Focal Point Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) N. Singh - Research Scientist Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) C. Paul - Research Scientist National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) M. Cummings - Plant Breeder Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) M. Welch - Animal Scientist Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) L. Chester - Lecturer Faculty of Agriculture, University of Guyana (FFA, UG) Seion Robertson - Fisheries Officer Fisheries Department S. M. Singh - Forest Resources Manager

Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC)

After completion of the sector reports, members of the working group submitted a draft to their

respective agency heads for review. Sector reports were then submitted to the National Focal

Point for compilation.

1.1 GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE COUNTRY

Question 2. In a few paragraphs, provide a synthetic overview of your country, including the

size, location, main physiographic and climatic features. Include a section on human population,

providing disaggregated data on women and men contribution and involvement in agriculture.

Briefly discuss as well the overall nature and characteristics of the economy, including the

contribution of the different sectors. You may wish to draw upon the country overviews provided

in the first chapters of previous and ongoing Country Reports on Forest, Aquatic, Animal or

Plant Genetic Resources.

The Cooperative Republic of Guyana is located on the north-eastern coast of South America,

bordered by Suriname to the east, Brazil to the South, and Venezuela to the west. Guyana lies

between latitudes 1° and 9°N, and longitudes 56° and 62°W. It has a total size of 215 000 km2

with a coastline of approximately 434 km in length (EPA, 2010). Guyana is part of the Guiana

Highlands; along with Suriname and French Guiana, which is characterized by lowland tropical

rainforest. Approximately 85% of the total area of land in Guyana is covered by forest (EPA,

2010).

4

Guyana is divided into four natural regions based on its geography:

i. The Coastal Plain which is approximately 1.37 m below sea level, consists of majority of

Guyana's population, and is host to majority of the agricultural activities;

ii. The Highland Region which includes the Pakaraima Formation and Mount Roraima,

Guyana’s highest peak;

iii. The Hilly Sand and Clay Region which is found just inland of the coastal region and is

covered mostly with vegetation; and

iv. The Interior Savannahs, which accounts for almost 11% of the country’s area and is

covered mainly by grasses, shrub and low trees (EPA, 2010).

Figure 1: Map of Guyana Showing the Natural Regions

5

These natural regions are further divided into ten (10) administrative regions, each managed by a

Regional Democratic Council.

Figure 2: The Ten Administrative Regions in Guyana

Guyana has a population of approximately 746,995 with more than 75% residing on the coast

lands (Bureau of Statistics, 2012). Guyana population is one of mixed heritage, chiefly made up

of six people viz. Indians, Africans, Portuguese, Native Amerindians, Europeans and Chinese.

These groups of diverse nationality backgrounds have been fused together by a common

language, that is, English.

Rainfall in Guyana is spatially and temporally very variable and is influenced by the seasonal

movements of the Equatorial Trough and the El-Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) (Bovolo et

al, 2009). The coast lands of Guyana experience two wet and two dry seasons annually. Months

with the highest rainfall are usually June and December and relatively dry periods occur in the

6

months of March and September. This trend in rainfall pattern is observed throughout Regions 1

to 6 (Bovolo et al, 2009). A similar pattern of rainfall is observed in Regions 7 and 10 which are

located parallel to the coastal areas (Bovolo et al, 2009). Region 8 recorded the highest rainfall

while Region 9, the savannah region, experiences the least (Bovolo et al, 2009). The mean air

temperature is 25‐27.5˚ throughout the year in most regions except the upland regions in the west

of the country, where mean temperatures are a cooler 20‐23˚C (McSweeney et al, 2012).

According to the UNDP Climate Change Country Profiles, the mean annual rainfall along the

coast has increased at an average rate of 4.8 mm/month per decade and the temperature has

increased by 0.3°C since 1960 at an average rate of 0.07°C per decade (McSweeney et al, 2012).

Guyana has an estimated floral diversity of over 8000 species; including ferns, mosses, etc.

Approximately 6500 of the 8000 species have being identified (EPA, 2010). There are

approximately 1,815 known species of fishes, amphibians, birds, reptiles and mammals (EPA,

2010).

1.2 ROLE OF BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Question 3. Provide a summary of the role of biodiversity for food and agriculture in improving

food security and nutrition, the livelihoods of farmers, pastoralists, forest dwellers and fisher

folk, ecosystem health and sustainability of production systems in your country. Specific

attention should be given to associated biodiversity, ecosystem services and to wild foods. The

summary should also draw attention to the ex situ and in situ conservation of biodiversity for

food and agriculture, the most significant aspects of use to improve food security and nutrition in

the country, major changes observed in the last 10 years and the main factors causing changes.

Significant risks or dangers to the conservation and use of biodiversity for food and agriculture

may also be highlighted.

Guyana’s richness of land and water resources and its unique rainfall patterns strategically

position the agriculture sector to optimize production and harvesting opportunities (Ministry of

Agriculture, 2013). The agriculture industry comprises of five principle sub-sectors: rice, sugar,

fruits and vegetables, livestock and fisheries (Ministry of Agriculture, 2013). The sugar and rice

sector are the most dominant and contributes significantly in creating sustainable livelihoods for

7

Guyanese residing in Regions 2 to 6 (Ministry of Agriculture, 2013). Arable land in Guyana is

more than 400,000 hectares, with the agriculture sector occupying approximately 161,874

hectares of irrigated land which is a host to major crops such as sugarcane and rice; a range of

non-traditional crops such as coconut, vegetables; and fishery and livestock (Paul, 2012).

Guyana is self-sufficient in all basic food requirements of its population but relies heavily on the

importation of wheat, split peas and potatoes (Paul, 2012).

Agriculture is vital to economic growth and development of the country as it creates employment

for thirty-three percent (33%) of the population. It has also guaranteed that Guyana remains a net

exporter of food and accounts for forty percent (40%) of the total export earnings (Paul, 2012).

The industry contributes to approximately twenty one percent (21%) of Guyana’s gross domestic

product (Paul, 2012).

1.3 PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN GUYANA

Question 4. Indicate, for each of the production systems listed in Table 3 below, whether it is

found in your country or not, regardless of its importance

Table 3: Production systems present in the Guyana

Sector Code Name of Production System Present

(Y/N)

Live

stoc

k

L1 Livestock grassland-based systems: Tropics Y

L2 Livestock grassland-based systems: Subtropics N

L3 Livestock grassland-based systems: Temperate N

L4 Livestock grassland-based systems: Boreal and/or highlands N

L5 Livestock landless systems: Tropics Y

L6 Livestock landless systems: Subtropics N

L7 Livestock landless systems: Temperate N

L8 Livestock landless systems: Boreal and/or highlands N

Fore

st

s

F1 Naturally regenerated forests: Tropics Y

F2 Naturally regenerated forests: Subtropics N

8


(Y/N)

F3 Naturally regenerated forests: Temperate N

F4 Naturally regenerated forests: Boreal and/or highlands N

F5 Planted forests: Tropics N

F6 Planted forests: Subtropics N

F7 Planted forests: Temperate N

F8 Planted forests: Boreal and/or highlands N

Aqu

acul

ture

and

Fis

herie

s

A1 Self-recruiting capture fisheries: Tropics Y

A2 Self-recruiting capture fisheries: Subtropics N

A3 Self-recruiting capture fisheries: Temperate N

A4 Self-recruiting capture fisheries: Boreal and/or highlands N

A5 Culture-based fisheries: Tropics N

A6 Culture-based fisheries: Subtropics N

A7 Culture-based fisheries: Temperate N

A8 Culture-based fisheries: Boreal and/or highlands N

A9 Fed aquaculture: Tropics Y

A10 Fed aquaculture: Subtropics N

A11 Fed aquaculture: Temperate N

A12 Fed aquaculture: Boreal and/or highlands N

A13 Non-feed aquaculture: Tropics Y

A14 Non-feed aquaculture: Subtropics N

A15 Non-feed aquaculture: Temperate N

A16 Non-feed aquaculture: Boreal and/or highlands N

Cro

ps

C1 Irrigated crops (rice): Tropics Y

C2 Irrigated crops (rice): Subtropics N

C3 Irrigated crops (rice): Temperate N

C4 Irrigated crops (rice): Boreal and/or highlands N

C5 Irrigated crops (other): Tropics Y

C6 Irrigated crops (other): Subtropics N

9


(Y/N)

C7 Irrigated crops (other): Temperate N

C8 Irrigated crops (other): Boreal and/or highlands N

C9 Rainfed crops: Tropics Y

C10 Rainfed crops: Subtropics N

C11 Rainfed crops: Temperate N

C12 Rainfed crops: Boreal and/or highlands N

Mix

ed

M1 Mixed systems (livestock, crop, forest and/or aquatic and

fisheries): Tropics Y

M2 Mixed systems (livestock, crop, forest and/or aquatic and fisheries):

Subtropics N


Temperate N


Boreal and/or highlands N

Others O1 Crops: Swamp Systems (Aroids): Tropics Y

Question 5. List in Table 4 the production systems that have been identified as occurring in your

country in Table 3, indicating the codes and/or the names of the production systems as provided.

Provide a description for each production system.

Table 4: Description or characterization of production systems within the country

Production Systems Description

Irrigated crops (rice)

: Tropics (C1)

Irrigated rice covers approximately 189,491 acres of land. Rice is

cultivated mainly on the lowlands of the coast which is characterized by

environmental homogeneity with seldom droughts and floods damaging

the rice crop. A small amount of land in the savannas (Region 9, Santa Fe

and Moco Moco) is recently being cultivated for upland rice production.

Modern technology and research has contributed tremendously to rice

10


production and consequently there has been increases in yields over the

past decades (from 3.8 t/ha in 1994 to 5.3 in 2014). To date, the new high

yielding varieties have occupied about 61% of the total rice land

cultivated in Guyana.

Naturally regenerated forests:

Tropics (F1)

Guyana is situated on the northern coast of South America, between 0 45'

and 8 38' north latitude and 56 32' and 61 22' west longitude. The forest

is found on well drained sites from the flat plain to broken country and on

rocky hills. The soils are brown sands, loams or red earths. The trees are

of different stages, the canopy is from 70-130ft. high, the emergent up to

170ft high and understory between 40 to 70 ft high. The maximum tree

diameter of Guyana's rainforest is between 30-40inches and stocking

density is 120-210 trees per acre over 4 inches diameter. Lianas and

epiphytes are common in this forest.

Irrigated crops (other) : Tropics

(C5)

Sugarcane. The production of sugar accounts for approximately 20% of

the Gross Domestic Product and 40% of agricultural production.

Sugarcane is grown in several areas near the coast. Temperatures are high

all year round and the area receives about 2000 mm of rain each year.

Sugarcane and rice production apart, coconut cultivation is the only other

major crop in Guyana that benefits from applied irrigation practices

(Pomeroon River Plantations, and large Coastal commercial plantations)

All commercial scale garden vegetable production (mainly in coastal

ecologies) require some form of applied irrigation. Holdings range from

smaller than quarter of a hectare to perhaps not larger than one 3/4 of a

hectare (as per irrigated vegetables). Irrigated coconut plantations range

from 5 hectares to about 100 hectares per holding; the average in the

riparian communities averages about 20 hectares. Except for sporadic

incidences of insect pests that are controlled with agrochemicals,

synthetic fertilization of coconut is not customary. However, garden

vegetable production is difficult without synthetic agro-chemical inputs.

11


Irrigated coconut production is thinly spread along rural coastal Guyana,

but the most intensive production in the Country is found in the low lying

riparian community of the Lower Pomeroon River; hence the ready

availability irrigation water. These two groups of irrigated other crops

consume the full time of about 20% of commercial farming families in

the country, with about an equal spread between the genders. Youths are

also active for this group of crops, but their participation is so transient

that an accurate proportion is not readily estimable. Farmers in the main

riparian community in the Lower Pomeroon River exclusively depend on

this group of crops for their livelihood. While coastal farming

communities for this group of crops would usually have diversified

portfolio of earning sources.

Self-recruiting capture

fisheries: Tropics (A1)

The marine fisheries sector in Guyana can be divided into three main

fisheries, these are:

• Industrial fishery – shrimp trawlers targeting seabob shrimp

(Xiphopenaeus kroyeri) and penaeid shrimp (Farfantepenaeus

brasiliensis, F. subtilis and F. notialis) ;

• Semi-industrial fishery – targeting red snapper (Lutjanus

purpureus) and associated species (mainly beeliner or vermilion

snapper Rhomboplites aurorubens) by line or trap;

• Artisanal fishery – targeting a wide range of finfish species,

mainly sciaenids, using five main gear types: polyethylene

gillnets (of various mesh sizes), nylon gillnets, cadell line

(demersal or mid-water longline), Chinese seine (fyke nets) and

pin seine (small-mesh seines).

The marine ecosystem in Guyanese waters is dominated by inputs of

freshwater, not only from local rainfall but also from inputs from the

Amazon River plume, as well as from the Orinoco and the many other

large rivers in the Guianas. This freshwater is laden with silt and

nutrients. Coastal waters are therefore highly turbid, nutrient-rich, and

12


somewhat brackish – this is the ‘brown water’ zone. The influence of the

Amazon and Orinoco plumes on coastal waters around Guyana appear to

be variable seasonally, but regardless of the inshore/offshore movements

of the main part of the freshwater plume, coastal waters in the Guianas

are usually covered with a layer of this turbid water (which is both warm

and low salinity and therefore very buoyant) down to a depth of at least

10m – and sometimes 50m or more (Lambert 2012).

As would be expected, inshore marine habitats are made-up of fluid or

consolidated mud and silt. The natural coastal vegetation is mangrove,

which has, however, been lost from many areas due to land reclamation

during the colonial period. Nonetheless, significant areas of mangrove

still exist and are protected, with some restoration work also underway.

Coastal and nearshore mudflats are highly mobile, with strong natural

processes of erosion and deposition. On a regional scale, there is a

general movement of sediment northwards along the coast away from the

mouth of the Amazon, but this varies on a smaller scale depending on

local inputs of sediment, tidal flows and local geomorphology (Lampert

2012).

Tides are relatively significant, with the height difference between high

and low tide being ~1-3m, depending on time, season and location. Tidal

currents and amplitude are important to the artisanal fishermen, since

they affect how easily they can launch and land their vessels, as well as

the ease and effectiveness of the fishing itself. Some gears, such as the

seines, rely directly on tides to direct the catch into the net.

The key species in the food web at lower trophic levels on the continental

shelf are shrimp (various species as above), while the inshore finfish

community is dominated by species in the family Sciaenidae (drums and

13


croakers) and Ariidae (marine catfish). Both shrimp and finfish groups

rely on inshore areas, including mangroves, as nursery areas for

juveniles, and most of the key commercial species include shrimp as a

component of their diet, usually alongside smaller fish. Overall, benthic

diversity and biomass is reported to be low in nearshore coastal waters,

probably because of rapid silt deposition and erosion rates and habitats

largely made up of unconsolidated mud (Lambert 2012).

Further offshore, where the riverine-influenced coastal waters meet

oceanic waters, is an area of high primary production – the ‘green water’

zone. This is the main area for industrial shrimp trawling, although the

seabob trawlers also fish in inshore waters. Outside this area, towards the

edge of the continental shelf, the water is clear, oceanic water, and corals

are thought to occur in this area, which supports typical deep-water, reef-

associated communities, including red snapper. This is the ‘blue water’

zone. Benthic biomass and biodiversity appears to increase markedly

through these zones, reaching a maximum at the edge of the continental

shelf (Lambert 2012).

Fed aquaculture: Tropics (A9)

The Aquaculture industry is categorized into Freshwater, Brackish and

Marine. Freshwater and Brackish aquaculture predominate the industry,

with little or no marine aquaculture being practiced. Freshwater involves

the culture of organisms that live mainly inland waters with 0.1ppt or less

salt content. Freshwater aquaculture systems are primarily semi-intensive

and fishes are reared in mostly earthen ponds in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8

and 10. Main Freshwater species include Oreochromis sp. (Jamaican Red

Tilapia), Oreochromis nilotica (Nile tilapia), Colossoma macropomum

(Freshwater pacu) and Hoplosternum littorale (Armed Catfish). Soil type

in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are predominately clayey, whereas Regions 8

and 10 have mostly sandy soil. Freshwater aquaculture farms in region 4,

14


5 and 6 are found along the coastline. In the driest parts of the year there

is salt water intrusion from the Atlantic ocean. Water inlands used for

rearing aquatic organisms must not be sourced from drainage canals

where domestic and agriculture waste is being discharged. In addition to

natural food (zooplanktons and phytoplanktons) available from fertilizing

(use of organic or inorganic) the pond, the fishes are either fed a

completed feed or feed ingredients. Over feeding and fertilization can

lead to Cyanophyceae (Blue-green) algal growth which can cause total

kill to aquatic life depending on dissolved oxygen to survive. More so,

high level of ammonia are experienced from the over use of fertilizer and

over feeding of fishes. Common predators include the houri, piranha,

caiman, kissadee, king fisher, hawk, and man.

Freshwater aquaculture is conducted on a small scale with the exceptions

of three large companies. Most of the farms are found in the peri-urban to

rural areas, where woman are primarily involved in the cleaning,

marketing and sales. Farmers make their livelihoods through selling to

supermarkets, restaurants, local and export markets. Most of the

small/medium sized farmers do not practice aquaculture alone but

integrate it with cash crops and or livestock to cover expenses.

Non-fed aquaculture: Tropics (A13)

Non- fed Aquaculture involves the rearing of aquatic species that lives in

water of a saltwater content between 0.1ppt and full strength seawater,

which is also known as brackish water aquaculture. This type of

production system is one that involves a very extensive culture, which is

low level of technology, no supplementary feed, low stocking rate, as a

result of this the investments are also low. In Guyana, Brackish water

aquaculture is primarily done in Region #6 and is concentrated on the

Corentyne Coast. The water in which these aquaculture species is farmed

has a profound effect on the health and growth of the specie. This type of

15


aquaculture system involves the capturing of the post larvae of different

species by the farmers, this is done when water is entering the

shores/river banks during the high tides, water is captured in ponds and is

then sealed once the ponds are full. During this process both target and

non-target species are captured. To estimate the total quantity of species

captured is not known, however for the brackish water shrimp a water

sample of 1 liter is collected and post larvae is counted, by multiplying

the average post larvae found in that liter by the total volume of water in

the pond would result in an estimation of the amount of shrimps in that

pond. The different type of species reared in this type of aquaculture

system includes; Brackish water shrimp (Litopenaeus schmitti and

Penaeus subtilis), Mullet (Mugil cephalus), Querriman (Mugil liza) and

Bashaw (Micropogonias furnieri).

Livestock grassland

based systems:

Tropical (L1)

Guyana’s grassland supports the production of dairy (milk), cattle and

beef, sheep and sheep meat, horses, goats and donkeys. Approximately

90% of the animals graze, mainly natural pastures, while 10 % support

cultivated a variety of grass species (silage, hay and pasture). Livestock

in Guyana is done in two broad geographical zones, the coast land and

the hinterland regions. The country has wet and dry seasons and is

blessed with an abundance of fresh water and sunshine. The quality of

the soil will vary in accordance with the geographical zones and would

therefore require different levels and types of soil management to

enhance productivity. Livestock makes a significant contribution to

Guyana’s agriculture economy and GDP, being self-sufficient in beef,

poultry meat, table eggs, mutton and pork. Despite of the large volume

of milk produced, the country still has a large milk importation bill. The

significance of pasture as a land use is greatest both on the coast,

Intermediate and Rupununi Savannahs. This is to be expected given that

these are main beef cattle grazing areas of the Guyana. Some amount of

forage conservation is done and so too is the bailing of rice straw which

16


are used during periods of shortages during adverse weather conditions.

The making of silage is considered a more efficient method of forage

conservation and is the dominant form of preserving fresh fodder for use

on farm.

Livestock landless

systems: Tropical

(L5)

Pig industry: Guyana’s pig industry utilizes low technology and is not a

very efficient industry. There are approximately 200,00 heads of pigs in

the country; they are essentially all hybrids emanating from international

breeding companies and based on pure-bred stock held by those

companies. There has been a significant increase in pig numbers over the

last few years. Pig production is concentrated in small and medium size

units. The production comes from approximately 3000 producers of

which one third account for 80% of production. The majority of

producers have integrated units, i.e. they carry the pigs from birth to

slaughter weight in the same unit. Guyana is 95 % self-sufficient in pig

meat, with minimal amounts imported for the hotel industry.

Poultry industry: The poultry sub-sector is the most developed and

integrated of the livestock sector. The country is self- sufficient in broiler

meat with annual production of 65 Mil kg and 19 Mil eggs. Hatching

eggs are imported from the USA, are hatched locally and chicks sold to

farmers. Similarly, corn and soy are imported and blended with local

materials to formulate commercial rations for domestic use. Ducks,

turkeys and limited numbers of other species were produced almost

entirely for seasonal markets. Currently a relatively small number of

international breeding companies supply the specialized hybrid eggs to

Guyana.

Mixed systems

(livestock, crop,

forest and/or aquatic

and fisheries (M1)

Mixed farming systems are traditional in Guyana. The majority of

commercial farms in Guyana are mixed. But mixed food production

systems are best exemplified in and around all homesteads. For this

reason it is estimated that more than 80% of PGRFA diversity can be

17


found in these so-called 'in-situ homesteads'. Homesteads also house a

diversity of plants used as medicinal herbals, nutraceuticals and some of

these are known to be notorious weeds, crop wild relatives and popular

obligate wild plants. But homesteads are more recognized for their

social-cultural value as a source of fresh nutritious foods and

nutraceuticals. Specifically though, homesteads contribute significantly

to food self-reliance, national food security and social stability. And over

the recent decades this fact has been verily noted in policies of successive

governments.

Rainfed Crops:

Tropics (C9)

Sugarcane and rice aside, more than 80% of other crops are grown under

rain-fed conditions. It must be noted that irrigation costs is a main

deterrent to open-row crop production to the extent that field production

of corn and soybean (major agricultural feed imports into Guyana) has

for years not been feasible. Commercial production of rainfed crops are

mainly in coastal and near-coastal ecologies, and lower riparian

communities. Some commercially important crops include Plantains and

Banana, Pineapple, 'sweet' cassava (M. utilissima), assorted cucurbits,

eddoes and sweet potatoes, hot pepper and a wide assortment of tropical

fruits. All the aforementioned crops are planted to only landrace varieties,

and accordingly, exports of agro-commodities are so derived from about

80% of farmers' landrace varieties. In the foregoing ecologies agro-

chemical inputs are used sparingly. In mainly hinterland communities,

rainfed crops are cultivated mainly on a subsistence basis; the custom of

agro-chemical use scarcely documented to being absent. And among the

wide diversity of crop groups cassava stands out. Cassava permeates all

conventional agro-ecologies in the country and its cultivation methods

are believed to be inexorably generating the greatest crop genetic

diversity present in the country.

Crops: Swamp

Systems (Aroids):

Swamp cultivation of eddoes (Colacasia esculenta) in the white sand

swamp ecologies along the Soesdyke-Linden highway is a very good

18


Tropics (O1) example of farmer-based improvisation; being the only natural swamp

ecology commercially cultivated in Guyana. Commercial mono-cropped

swamp eddo production is not only the largest manure-based farming

system in Guyana, but is undoubtedly the most efficient of farming

systems in the country. An estimated 150 acres are cultivated in these

swamps, and production has been consistently so high it has over-taken

other traditional ecologies as the center of eddo production in Guyana.

An assortment of 6-7 other aroid strains is cultivated and all varieties are

farmers' landraces. Unfortunately, the production techniques have a bias

towards the male gender.

Question 6. Provide a map of production systems in your country, marking the places and

regions mentioned in the Country Report.

Figure 3: Map of Guyana Showing the Rice Growing Areas

19

Figure 4: Map of Guyana Showing the Natural Regenerated Forests

Figure 5: Map of Guyana Showing the Sugar Estates

20

Figure 6: Map of Guyana Showing the EEZ and zoning of the Fishing Areas

21

Regions Types of livestock 1. Barima Waini Cattle 2. Pomeroon-Supenaam Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry 3. Essequibo Islands-West

Demerara Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry

4. Demerara-Mahaica Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry 5. Mahaica-Berbice Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry 6. East Berbice-Corentyne Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry 7. Cuyuni-Mazaruni Cattle, poultry 8. Potaro-Siparuni Cattle, sheep 9. Upper Takutu-Upper

Essequibo Cattle, sheep, pigs

10. Upper Demerara-Berbice Cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry

Figure 7: Map of Guyana Showing Livestock Production Areas

Question 7. For each production system found in your country (refer to Table 3), indicate in

Table 5 the area under production (km2, hectares, acres, other). If not applicable, indicate the

estimated production quantity (major products aggregated) using the appropriate unit or

measure (tonne, head, inventory, cubic metre, etc.) for the production system. If available,

indicate the contribution of the production system to the agricultural sector economy in the

country (%). Please use the most recent data available and indicate the year of reference for the

data or estimates. Specify NK if not known or NA if not applicable.

Table 5: Area under production, production quantity and contribution to the agricultural

sector economy of production systems in the country

Production

Systems

Area Production - Quantity

Contribution to the

agricultural sector

economy

Reference

year

Value Unit Value Unit % Year

Irrigated crops (rice) : Tropics (C1)

Area harvested was 185,021 hectares and the

The value of the rice exported for 2014 was totaled to US$249,512,110

635,238 metric tons was the overall producti

Contributed to 40% of the income of the agriculture sector in 2014 (Lucas, R. Stabroek News, 2015)

The Guyana Rice Development Board 2014 Annual Report

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomeroon-Supenaam

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essequibo_Islands-West_Demerara

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essequibo_Islands-West_Demerara

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demerara-Mahaica

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahaica-Berbice

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Berbice-Corentyne

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuyuni-Mazaruni

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potaro-Siparuni

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_Takutu-Upper_Essequibo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_Takutu-Upper_Essequibo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_Demerara-Berbice

22

Production

Systems


Contribution to the

agricultural sector

economy

Reference

year


average yield was 5.3 tons / hectare

on; and 501,208 tons was exported

Naturally regenerated forests: Tropics (F1)

18.3 million ha.

4% 2015

Irrigated crops (Sugarcane) : Tropics (C5)

45,000 hectares 227,727 tonnes 20% 2015

Irrigated crops (Other) : Tropics (C5)

NK NK NK NK NK NK

Rainfed Crops: Tropics (C9)

NK NK NK NK NK NK

Self-recruiting capture fisheries: Tropics (A1)

138,240 km2 35,835 mt $14,692,615,448 (GYD) 2015

Fed aquaculture: Tropics (A9)

93 hectares 136 Metric tonnes $150,691,242 GYD 2014

Non-fed aquaculture: Tropics (A13)

425 Hectares 191 Metric tonnes $159,128,337 GYD 2014

Livestock grassland based systems: Tropical (L1)

1,90984 kg 55,135,685 l 60,981

Beef: 4.43 Milk: 30.07 Mutton: 0.34

2015

Livestock landless systems: Tropical (L5)

28,824 kg 30,727,682 kg 26,135,685

Pork: 0.73 Poultry meat: 62.22 Table eggs: 2.20

2015

23

Production

Systems


Contribution to the

agricultural sector

economy

Reference

year


Mixed systems (livestock, crop, forest and/or aquatic and fisheries (M1)

NK NK NK NK NK NK

Crops: Swamp Systems (Aroids): Tropics (O1)

150 Acres 90 Mt NA 2014

Question 8. Comment on the effects on biodiversity for food and agriculture of production

destined for exportation versus production for local and/or national consumption. Where

information is available, indicate for each production system the proportion of production that is

destined for export, the major commodities involved, the impact on the methods of production

(e.g. adoption of specific production practices to meet export needs) and the implications for

biodiversity.

Irrigated Crops (Rice): Tropics (C1)

In 2014, the rice industry recorded its highest rice exports of 501,208 tons compared to 394,988

tons in 2013; an increase of 26.89% (GRDB, 2014). New markets were secured in Panama,

Belize, Nicaragua, Chile, Costa Rica, Brazil, among others. This resulted in Guyana exporting to

32 countries in 2014 (GRDB, 2014). The major markets were Venezuela, the European Union,

and Caricom Countries. Venezuela accounted for 37.5% of the rice exported; the European

Union accounted for 20.3%; Caricom Countries 17.6%; and other countries 24.6% (GRDB,

2014). The total value of rice export in 2014 was US$249,504,955. Cargo rice, white rice and

brown rice were the major rice products exported in 2014 (GRDB, 2014).

24

Rice quality depends on the consumer and on the intended end use for the grain. Today plant

breeders in Guyana are not only focusing on breeding for high yields and pest resistance by are

also aiming to incorporate preferred quality characteristics into the grain to increase the

economic value of the rice. However, grain quality is not just influenced by the variety of rice

but also the crop production practices, crop environment, harvesting, processing and milling

systems. Biodiversity for food and agriculture and associated biodiversity will be affected based

on the management practices and systems used by farmers and manufacturers.

The Ministry of Agriculture and the Guyana Rice Development Board aims to produce and

market high quality rice and rice by-products for both local and international markets (GRDB,

2014); thus, the production of rice and rice products used for export and local consumption will

be the same and so will their effects on biodiversity for food and agriculture.


In Guyana, while the quality of marine export is somewhat driven by existing international

standards; production/harvesting methodologies are quite similar for both local and exported

commodities. However due to the nature of Guyana`s Industrial Fishery and their more advanced

operational structure in comparison to the other fisheries (described in table 2 above), constant

measures are being enforced to tackle the issue of biodiversity preservation. For example most

recently vessels operating within the fishery were equipped with By-catch Reduction

Device/BRD (Reduce capture of fish by-catch in shrimp trawls) and Turtle Excluder

Devices/TED (to nullify the capture of sea turtles). Consequently regulations have been drafted

to foster long term compliance by stakeholders within the sector. Noteworthy also is the fact that

Guyana`s seabob fishery will be entering into Marine Stewardship Council assessment in the

foreseeable future. Once achieved, this eco-label will signify that the industry is fishing

sustainably. For both the Semi-Industrial and the Artisanal Fisheries respectively, there are no

such distinguished biodiversity management initiative being employed currently.

Table 6: Fisheries Department Export Data Collection Sheet - January - December 2015

Item Weight (MT) Value

Prawns 172.93 $606,690,227.00

25

Item Weight (MT) Value

Seabob / Whitebelly 8,715.44 $6,459,106,256.00

Shrimp Dried 987.46 $837,110,760.00

Fish Frozen 9,990.46 $5,057,127,899.00

Fish Fresh 128.43 $79,619,513.00

Fish Smoked 127.77 $39,918,908.00

Fish Fillets 1,005.52 $760,518,947.00

Fish Dried 97.83 $95,392,499.00

Fish Eggs 60.86 $8,781,010.00

Fish Glue 176.73 $405,082,500.00

Shark Salted 0.95 $198,527.00

Shark Fin 57.31 $305,453,185.00

Crab Meat/Back 37.13 $34,071,650.00

Ornamental Fish 9.53 $3,543,567.00

TOTAL 21,568.35 $14,692,615,448.00

NB: The export data presented above is a summation of the Industrial, Semi-Industrial and

Artisanal fisheries

Fed and Non-fed aquaculture: Tropics (A9 and A13)

Local consumption and preference of marine species is higher than that of farmed species.

Guyana has been able to supply its local market with marine captured species for generations.

Aquaculture was primarily introduced to capitalize on shortage of marine species on the

international market with farmed fish. Aquaculture provides an alternative protein source when

wild captured fishes are too expensive because the stocks have depleted due to overfishing.

Major export species Colossoma macropomum (Freshwater Pacu) Oreochromis sp. (Jamaican

Red Tilpia), Hoplostermun littorale (Armed catfish). No data is available for production destined

to the local market. There are minor impacts to production to meet export market needs, since

these farmers engage in semi intensive systems, with little or no use of aquatic drugs.

26


Outside of sugarcane and rice, and with some exception among garden vegetable crop varieties

'other' crop agro-produce in Guyana comprise more than 85% landrace varieties. Guyana is a net

exporter of agro-commodities. Not much locally produced crop-based agro-commodities is

processed. Close to 100% of exported agro-commodities are exported in a fresh state and these

are all derived from about 85% of landrace varieties. It should be noted that there are significant

quantities of both commercial and non-commercial exports. Non-commercial exports comprised

the widest crop diversity sources of gifted produce' taken out of the country by visitors. Dozens

of crops are commercially exported, but the take on the hundreds of sampled 'gifted' items is

limited only by access. It is acknowledged that the quantity of exports is under-documented

because phyto-sanitary export records and data from the New Guyana Marketing Corporation do

not sample all ports and potential ports of exit. Substantively, the erratic productivity of landrace

varieties is compounded with issues of their product uniformity and quality inconsistency.

Accordingly, exports of agro-produce from Guyana have over the years faced some export

marketing challenges. Except the notable exception of hot pepper relishes, almost all crop-based

foods are consumed fresh. Apparently, quality issues of produce derived from landrace varieties

do not present a local marketing challenge, and staggered production practices of a wide varietal

diversity of a wide range of crops ensures year-round supple of foods. Recently there has been an

increased influx of exotic improved garden vegetable varieties into local production. The impact

on the diversity of existing local landrace equivalents has however, not yet been assessed.

27

CHAPTER 2

DRIVERS OF CHANGE

28

2.1 EFFECTS OF DRIVERS OF CHANGE ON ASSOCIATED BIODIVERSITY

Question 9. What have been the most important drivers affecting the extent and distribution of

associated biodiversity in the last 10 years in your country? In describing the drivers you may

wish to indicate the production systems where associated biodiversity is most affected and

identify drivers that are common to the various components of associated biodiversity listed.

Indicate where possible the indicators used to measure changes, along with the sources of

information.

Irrigated Crops (Rice): Tropics

• Overuse of External Inputs

According to Extension Officers and specialists in the various fields of rice research

(Entomologist, Pathologist, and Agronomist), rice producers are guilty of exceeding the

recommended rate of pesticides as well as fertilizers. Even though the scientists are

making great efforts in establishing effectives rates of application and Extension Officers

are continuously disseminating this information to farmers; some rice producers are still

convinced that the more they apply the better control / production they will achieve.

• Markets

In 2015, the rice industry witnessed the collapse of the Venezuela rice market. This

market was the result of a historic rice deal sealed by the previous Administration of

Guyana and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Venezuela was the major market for

Guyana’s rice and paddy, accounting for approximately sixty (60) percent of the total rice

export in 2010. In 2014, export to Venezuela was around thirty-eight percent (38%);

however, the overall amount exported was far greater than that of 2013 (Guyana Times

2015). After the loss of the Venezuela market, rice prices paid for the various grades of

rice did not encourage farmers to re-plant the following crop; and coupled with the low

prices and varying weather conditions, fewer farmers planted. Prior to the collapse of the

Venezuela market, in 2015, there were 7,233 rice farmers and after the loss of the market

only 5,734 farmers had cultivated rice in 2016.

29

• Policies

The Guyana Rice Development Board Act established in 1994 aim is to provide

regulation for the manufacture and marketing of rice and to secure the effective

development of the rice industry. The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) was

established under this act and its functions are:

o to develop and to promote the expansion of export trade in Guyana’s rice

industry;

o to establish facilities for conducting rice research; and

o to engage in promotional and developmental activities necessary for the

development of the rice industry (Government of Guyana 1994).

GRDB comprises of various departments that deals with the various aspects of rice;

including, research, extension, quality control, and postharvest among others (GRDB

2014). The research component of GRDB plays a key role in its operations. This unit

develops new varieties which enable farmers to access plants that produce higher yields

and better quality grains and plants that have greater resistance to pests, diseases and

weather fluctuations. The research section is made up of several departments (plant

breeding, entomology, agronomy, pathology and seed production), each of which

comprises of specialists and full complement of technical staff. The Extension Division

transfers the technology / research to farmers. With respects to biodiversity for food and

agriculture; work done by GRDB varies from evaluating pesticides, promoting

sustainable agriculture, monitoring for pests organisms to breeding for varieties for

varying climatic conditions.

The Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) of the Ministry of

Agriculture was established under the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Act 2000

(Government of Guyana 2000). The main responsibility of the PTCCB is the

management of pesticides and toxic chemicals with special focus on the manufacturing,

importation, transport, storage, selling, using and advertising of these chemicals in

Guyana (PTCCB 2014). Some of the functions of the PTCCB are:

i. registering pesticides and toxic chemicals

30

ii. licensing persons to import or manufacture registered pesticides and toxic

chemicals

iii. authorizing persons to sell restricted pesticides

iv. licensing pest control operators

v. any aspects dealing with the importation, manufacture, transportation, storage,

packaging, preparation for sale, sale, use and disposal of pesticides and toxic

chemicals

vi. monitoring and implementation of regulations made under this act.

Even though some rice farmers/producers still use unregistered chemicals and misuse

those that are registered; the PTCCB have being impactful in the regulation of pesticides

and chemicals in the rice industry. The benefits of the proper use and management of

pesticides and chemical to associated biodiversity is well known; however, Guyana’s

Rice Industry is still on the road to achieve this.

• Advancement and Innovation in Science and Technology

The Guyana Rice Development Board was established in 1995 under the Guyana Rice

Development Board Act No. 15. One of the main objectives of the GRDB is to conduct

research, relating to rice and extending to rice farmers through an established system.

Rice research is undertaken at the Rice Research Station located in Burma Mahaicony

(latitude 06:27:50 N and longitude 057:45:35 W). Rice related research is done in the

following areas: varietal development, soil fertility and plant nutrition, insect, disease and

weed management and farm management and seed production. Research is also done in

the areas of postharvest, value added and quality control. The extension department of the

GRDB facilitates the transfer of technology from the Research Station to the farmer. This

department serves as an advisory body to assist the farmers in the acquisition of inputs

and provides farmers with new and available technology. With the provision and

dissemination of new research and technology, the rice industry has in on the road to

accomplish sustainable agriculture; however, being a developing country, Guyana’s rice

sector is face with many constrictions in the adoption of these technologies.

31

Naturally Regenerated Forest: Tropics (F1)

The main drivers affecting biodiversity in the forestry sector are Mining, Mining roads, Forestry

roads, Infrastructure roads, Fire, Natural, Forest Harvest, Agriculture, Pioneer Shifting

Agriculture and settlements.


Associated biodiversity in Guyana`s marine fishery may include species of marine mammals, sea

turtles and seabirds which are caught as bycatch and/or may be at risk for capture or interaction

with fisheries.

• Marine Mammals

No fixed database currently exists on the bycatch of marine mammals in Guyanese

waters. However it should be noted that in the most recent past on two separate

occasions, two sperm whales came in contact with fishing nets and subsequently

succumbed. The incidents occurred in December, 2014 and January 2015, respectively.

Additionally there have been anecdotal reports on the sighting of the sea Manatee in and

around fishing grounds.

IWC’s Scientific Committee’s (SC) draft report on small cetaceans of the wider

Caribbean (IWC/SC 2006) cites information from French Guiana and Venezuela.

Bottlenose dolphins are incidentally captured in both gillnet and trawl fisheries in those

countries. Tucuxi, the grey dolphin, Sotalia fluviatilis is known to suffer incidental

capture in gillnets and seines throughout its range which includes the Guianas. A review

of French Guiana stranding data showed that all stranded animals were Sotalia. In one

case, six out of eight animals had net marks (IWC/ SC, 2006). The SC review notes that

each year dozens of animals are found stranded with net marks in Brazil, French Guiana

and Venezuela and recommends special attention to Sotalia and other small vulnerable

coastal populations. Bouillet (2002) examined the threats to Tucuxi in French Guiana.

Drivers: Policies and Climate change are presumably the major drivers influencing the

incidence of interaction of Marine Mammals within the Guyana`s Fisheries Ecosystem.

32

However, there is no data available at the moment to corroborate the extent to which the

drivers are currently influencing the nation’s biodiversity within the sector.

• Sea Turtles

Five of the six sea turtle species found in the Wider Caribbean occur in Guyanese, with

nesting populations for four; (D. coriacea, L. olivacea, E. imbricata and C.mydas).

Information on the interaction between sea turtles and trawl fisheries on the Guianas shelf

has been available since the 1970s (Pritchard 1973, 1991). Although leatherbacks and

olive ridleys occur in the highest densities in the Guianas shelf, and show a

corresponding frequency in shrimp trawls, juvenile greens and loggerheads are also taken

as bycatch (Tambiah, 1994; Reichart et al. 1999, Weidner, 2001). Tambiah (1994)

estimated that trawl nets caught 1300 turtles annually, with mortality rates of 60%. Sea

turtle bycatch rates for neighboring French Guyana are given in Moguedet et al. (1994).

Based on the reports (Tambiah, 1994; Reichert et al., 1999; Shepherd and Ehrhardt,

2000; FAO, 2005) our estimate of an overall sea turtle bycatch rates for trawl fisheries

are between 0.003- 0.009- turtles/ trawl hr. Tambiah (1994) also reports, without

references that gillnet fisheries in Guyana and Suriname are an even bigger threat than

trawl fisheries, incidentally capturing 21, 600 sea turtles a year.

Conflicting information in Tambiah (1994) creates some difficulties in pinpointing the

seasonal overlap between fisheries and sea turtles undertaking reproduction-related

movements. However, the report documents the highest incidences of olive ridley

bycatch as occurring during the period prior to the nesting “arribadas” in Suriname

(January to March) coinciding with peak period for shrimp fisheries (February to May)

Currently all shrimp trawls are equipped with Turtle Excluder Devices (TED) which have

been proven to effectively negate capture of sea turtles. Regular enforcement to ensure

compliance in this regard are conducted by inspectors within Guyana`s Fisheries

Department. With that said there has been (though minimal) reports of turtle trapped

within gillnet which may warrant intervention at some stage.

33

Drivers: Policies, Climate change, exploitation levels and advancement & innovation in

science and technology are presumably the major drivers influencing the incidence of

interaction of Sea Turtle Population within Guyana`s Fisheries Ecosystem. Again data

availability is limited to corroborate the extent to which the drivers are currently

influencing the nations biodiversity within the sub-sector. Additionally, over the years

there has been technological advancement within the fisheries sub-sector for example;

TED`s on trawling vessels and drafted policies such as closed areas for example the shell

beach protected area for the management of sea turtles. With that said there is without a

doubt scope for advancement and monitoring of drivers and their effect on Fisheries

Ecosystem.

• Sea birds

No information exists on the by-catch of sea birds.

Fed Aquaculture and non-fed aquaculture (A9 and A13)

Important drivers affecting the extent and distribution of associated biodiversity are: land use and

water management. Aquaculture activities in Guyana utilize fresh and brackish water and occupy

hectares of land throughout the regions. This has disrupted ecosystems of associated biodiversity.

The extent of the effects in developing earthen ponds is not known. Climate change also plays a

pivotal role in its effect on biodiversity. The year 2015 into 2016 has shown unusual dry and wet

periods

Livestock grassland-based systems and livestock landless systems: Tropics (L1 and L5)

The most significant driver is climate change related and centers on the effect of flood, drought

and wild fires in the Intermediate and Rupununi Savannahs. However on the coast the current

grazing system is unsustainable and negatively impacts animal productivity. Many of the

communal pastures are subjected to seasonal flooding, which results in variation in feed

availability.

34


Over the last 10 years, diversity within the main 'other commercial crop groups have not

noticeably change. Rather, with the influx of exotic garden vegetable varieties, it can be inferred

that there may have been an increase in homestead varietal diversity; homesteads being in situ

sink for varietal discards. However, during this very period rainfed hinterland, agricultural

communities experienced critical periods of extended droughts and unseasonal rains. Although

there were no disaster situations nor any serious food assurance issues, the aftermath of these

unpredicted episodes almost always resulted in reports of shortage of sufficient 'seed sources' for

replanting, and here, cassava subsistence cultivation in hinterland communities were affected the

most. With the extremely wide varietal diversity of this hinterland staple it is logical that any

shortage of cassava planting materials would imply irreversible loss in varietal diversity; varietal

diversity being comprised of 100% cassava landrace varieties. Despite its frequency, there is no

documentation information immediately available that quantifies the genetic erosion of cassava

diversity as a result of these episodes of unseasonal weather.

Question 10. Where associated biodiversity is believed to be affected by climate change, please

provide additional information on the nature, severity and frequency of the climate threat and

the production systems impacted.

Irrigated Crop (Rice): Tropics (C1)

There are no monitoring systems in place to monitor associated biodiversity in the rice

production systems; however, it is noted by the specialists that temperature and rainfall affects

the paddy bug population and upon an increase of this pest, there is a decline of its natural

enemies.

Irrigated Crop (Other): Tropics (C5)

Droughts and flooding annually affects growth and development of the Sugarcane plant.

Flooding causes change of weed spectrum.

Naturally Regenerated Forest (F1)

There is no data available for naturally regenerated forests

35

Self-recruiting capture fisheries (A1)

In the case of self-recruiting capture fisheries there is no available database to determine the

impact on the parameters outlined above. Floods and droughts have made an impact on fed &

non-fed aquaculture, however their individual and collective impacts on associated biodiversity

was not studied as such it is difficult to speak to the severity of the events. With floods the

farmed species can get into the native ecosystem and may cause disruptions while with droughts

salt intrusion from the nearby ocean can affect the farm and associated biodiversity.


Habitat for wildlife and other biodiversity will be under threat and less resilient to flood, drought

and bush fire (in the Savannahs). This can negatively impact biodiversity for food and

agriculture, especially for residents in the Hinterland communities. This is an annual occurrence.


This report is not privy to documented evidence of any progressive (patterned) climate changes.

Unusual fluctuations on climate events have however, been noted. And here, extended dry

periods have imposed droughts and unseasonal rains (and extended rainy periods) have caused

sporadic floods. These climate events were not patterned, and their occurrences were therefore

unpredictable. In the rainfed hinterland substance agricultural communities the results were often

reported in shortages of the main staple foods that are cassava-based. These shortages could be

attributed to the ravages of droughts and floods resulting on the depletion and destruction of in-

field food storage reserves of susceptible cassava cultivation ecologies. The aftermath often

resulted in the depletion of 'seed cuttings' to replant the next crop. This loss of planting materials

is a direct indicator of an irreversible loss of cassava varietal diversity; cassava varietal diversity

being comprised of 100% farmers' varieties. Similar unseasonal weather episodes were also

experienced in coastal ecologies. And there, sporadic floods had more dramatic impacts than

droughts, but even in the apparent absence of documented evidence, indications are that genetic

erosion of varietal diversity has not been negatively impacted.

2.2 EFFECTS OF DRIVERS OF CHANGE ON BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND

AGRICULTURE

36

Question 11. For each production system present in your country as indicated in Table 3, fill in

the code and name of each production system in Table 7 (repeat Table for each production

system). For each production system indicate which drivers have been influencing biodiversity

for food and agriculture, disaggregated by sector, during the past 10 years (description of

drivers can be found in Annex 3). Drivers may have a strongly positive (2), positive (1), negative

(-1), and strongly negative effect (-2), or no effect at all (0) on biodiversity for food and

agriculture. If the effect of the driver is unknown or not applicable, please indicate not known

(NK) or not applicable (NA).

Table 7: Effect of drivers on sector biodiversity within production systems in the country,

by animal (AnGR), plant (PGR), aquatic (AqGR) and forest (FGR) genetic resources.

Production

Systems Drivers

Effect of drivers on sector biodiversity for

food and agriculture

(2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or

Name PGR FGR AnGR AqGR

Irrigated

crops (rice) :

Tropics

Changes in land and water use

and management NK NA NK NK

Pollution and external inputs -2 NA -2 -2

Over-exploitation and

overharvesting NA NA NA NA

Climate change NK NA NK NK

Natural Disasters NK NA NK NK

Pests, diseases, alien invasive

species -2 NA -2 0

Markets, trade and the private

sector NK NA NK NK

Policies +1 NA +1 +1

Population growth and

urbanization NK NA NK NK

37

Production

Systems Drivers



(2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or


Changing economic, socio-

political, and cultural factors NK NA NK NK

Advancements and innovations

in science and technology +2 NA +2 +2

Production

Systems Drivers



(2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or


Naturally

Regenerated

Forests :

Tropics


and management NK NK NK NK

Pollution and external inputs NK NK NK NK


overharvesting NK NK NK NK

Climate change NK NK NK NK

Natural Disasters NK NK NK NK


species NK NK NK NK


sector NK NK NK NK

Policies NK NK NK NK


urbanization NK NK NK NK

Changing economic, socio- NK NK NK NK

38

Production

Systems Drivers



(2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or


political, and cultural factors


in science and technology NK NK NK NK

Production

Systems Drivers



(2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or


Irrigated

crops

(Sugarcane) :

Tropics


and management 2 NK NK NK

Pollution and external inputs 1 NK NK NK


overharvesting 0 NK NK NK

Climate change -1 NK NK NK



species -1 NK NK NK


sector -1 NK NK NK

Policies 1 NK NK NK


urbanization -1 NK NK NK


political, and cultural factors 1 NK NK NK

39

Production

Systems Drivers



(2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or



in science and technology 2 NK NK NK

Production

Systems Drivers



(2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or


Irrigated

crops (other) :

Tropics






Climate change 0 NK NK NK

Natural Disasters 0 NK NK NK


species -1 NK NK NK


sector 1 NK NK NK

Policies 1 NK NK NK


urbanization 1 NK NK NK



40

Production

Systems Drivers



(2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or




Production

Systems Drivers



(2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or


Rainfed Crops

: Tropics






Climate change -1 NK NK NK



species 0 NK NK NK


sector 1 NK NK NK

Policies 1 NK NK NK





Advancements and innovations 0 NK NK NK

41

Production

Systems Drivers



(2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or


in science and technology

Production

Systems Drivers



(2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or


Self-recruiting

capture

fisheries:

Tropics









species NK NK NK NK


sector NK NK NK NK





political, and cultural factors NK NK NK NK



42

Production

Systems Drivers



(2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or


Fed

aquaculture:

Tropics


and management NK NK NK -1

Pollution and external inputs NK NK NK -1


overharvesting NK NK NK -1

Climate change NK NK NK -2

Natural Disasters NK NK NK -2


species NK NK NK -1


sector NK NK NK -1

Policies NK NK NK 2


urbanization NK NK NK -1


political, and cultural factors NK NK NK -1


in science and technology NK NK NK 2

Production

Systems Drivers



(2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or


43

Production

Systems Drivers



(2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or


Non-fed

aquaculture:

Tropics


and management NK NK NK -1

Pollution and external inputs NK NK NK -1


overharvesting NK NK NK -1

Climate change NK NK NK -2

Natural Disasters NK NK NK -2


species NK NK NK -1


sector NK NK NK -1

Policies NK NK NK 2


urbanization NK NK NK -1


political, and cultural factors NK NK NK -1


in science and technology NK NK NK 2

Production

Systems Drivers



(2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or


Livestock Changes in land and water use NK NK NK NK

44

Production

Systems Drivers



(2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or


grassland-

based systems

(Tropics) (L1)

and management







species NK NK NK NK


sector NK NK NK NK








Production

Systems Drivers



(2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or


Livestock

landless



45

Production

Systems Drivers



(2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or


systems

(Tropics) (L5)







species NK NK NK NK


sector NK NK NK NK








Production

Systems Drivers



(2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or


Mixed

Systems

(Tropics)




46

Production

Systems Drivers



(2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or


(M1) Over-exploitation and





species 0 NK NK NK


sector 1 NK NK NK

Policies 1 NK NK NK







Production

Systems Drivers



(2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or


Other Crops:

Swamp

Systems

(Aroids):




Over-exploitation and 0 NK NK NK

47

Production

Systems Drivers



(2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or


Tropics overharvesting




species 0 NK NK NK


sector 1 NK NK NK

Policies 1 NK NK NK







2.3 EFFECTS OF DRIVERS OF CHANGE ON ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

Question 12: What have been the main drivers (descriptions in Annex 3) affecting regulating and

supporting ecosystem services (descriptions in Annex 4) in the country during the last 10 years?

Describe, for each production system identified in Table 3, the major driver(s) affecting

ecosystem services and indicate the effect on ecosystem services as being strongly positive (2),

positive (1), negative (-), strongly negative (-2), no effect (0), not known (NK), or not applicable

(NA) in Table 8 (repeat table for each production system)

Table 8: Major drivers and their effect on ecosystem services in production systems

48

Production Systems

Drivers

Effect of drivers on ecosystem services (2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Hab

itat p

rovi

sion

ing

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion

Irrigated crops (rice) : Tropics

Changes in land and water use and management NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK

Pollution and external inputs NK -2 -2 NK -2 NK NK NK NK

Over-exploitation and overharvesting NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

Climate change NK -1 NK NK NK NK NK NK NK Natural Disasters NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK Pests, diseases, alien invasive species NK -1 NK NK NK NK NK -2 0

Markets, trade and the private sector NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK

Policies 0 +2 0 NK +1 +1 NK +1 NK Population growth and urbanization NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK

Changing economic, socio-political, and cultural factors

0 NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK

Advancements and innovations in science and technology

NK +2 NK NK NK NK NK NK NK

Production Systems Drivers Effect of drivers on ecosystem services (2, 1, 0,-

1, -2, NK, NA)

49

Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Hab

itat p

rovi

sion

ing

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion

Naturally Regenerated Forests


Pollution and external inputs NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK

Over-exploitation and overharvesting NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK

Climate change NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK Natural Disasters NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK Pests, diseases, alien invasive species NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK


Policies NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK Population growth and urbanization NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK


NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK



Production Systems Drivers Effect of drivers on ecosystem services (2, 1, 0,-

1, -2, NK, NA)

50

Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Hab

itat p

rovi

sion

ing

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion

Irrigated crops (Sugarcane) : Tropics

Changes in land and water use and management NK 2 NK NK 1 1 1 2 2



Climate change NK -1 NK NK NK NK NK -1 NK Natural Disasters NK -1 NK NK NK NK NK NK NK Pests, diseases, alien invasive species NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK







51

Production Systems

Drivers


Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Hab

itat p

rovi

sion

ing

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion

Irrigated crops (Other) : Tropics

Changes in land and water use and management 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pollution and external inputs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Over-exploitation and overharvesting 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Climate change NK NK 0 0 0 0 NK NK 0 Natural Disasters NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Pests, diseases, alien invasive species NK -1 0 0 NK 0 0 NK 0

Markets, trade and the private sector 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Policies NK -1 NK NK NK 0 0 NK 0 Population growth and urbanization 1 NK NK NK NK 0 0 1 0


0 0 0 NK NK 0 0 NK 0


NK NK 0 NK NK 0 NK NK NK

52

Production Systems

Drivers


Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Hab

itat p

rovi

sion

ing

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion

Self-recruiting capture fisheries: Tropics











53

Production Systems

Drivers


Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Hab

itat p

rovi

sion

ing

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion

Fed aquaculture: Tropics

Changes in land and water use and management NA -1 NK -1 1 NA 2 1 1

Pollution and external inputs NA -1 NK -1 -1 NA NK NK NA

Over-exploitation and overharvesting NA 0 0 0 0 NK 0 0 0

Climate change NA NK NK NK NK NK -1 NK -1 Natural Disasters NA -1 NK -1 -1 -1 -1 2 -1 Pests, diseases, alien invasive species NA NA NA NA NA NA NK 0 NA

Markets, trade and the private sector NA NA NA NA NA NA NK -1 NA

Policies NA NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK Population growth and urbanization NA -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 NK


NA NK NK -1 NK NK NK 1 NA


NA 1 NK NK NK NK NK NK NA

54

Production Systems

Drivers


Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Hab

itat p

rovi

sion

ing

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion

Non-fed aquaculture: Tropics

Changes in land and water use and management NA -1 NK -1 1 NA 2 1 1

Pollution and external inputs NA -1 NK -1 -1 NA NK NK NA

Over-exploitation and overharvesting NA 0 0 0 0 NK 0 0 0

Climate change NA NK NK NK NK NK -1 NK -1 Natural Disasters NA -1 NK -1 -1 -1 -1 2 -1 Pests, diseases, alien invasive species NA NA NA NA NA NA NK 0 NA

Markets, trade and the private sector NA NA NA NA NA NA NK -1 NA

Policies NA NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK Population growth and urbanization NA -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 NK


NA NK NK -1 NK NK NK 1 NA


NA 1 NK NK NK NK NK NK NA

55

Production Systems

Drivers


Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Hab

itat p

rovi

sion

ing

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion

Livestock grassland-based systems: Tropics (L1)











56

Production Systems

Drivers


Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Hab

itat p

rovi

sion

ing

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion

Livestock landless- systems: Tropics (L5)











57

Production Systems

Drivers


Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Hab

itat p

rovi

sion

ing

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion

Rainfed Crops Tropics (C9)

Changes in land and water use and management 0 NK 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pollution and external inputs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


Climate change NK NK 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Natural Disasters NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Pests, diseases, alien invasive species 0 NK 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


Policies 0 -1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Population growth and urbanization 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

58

Production Systems

Drivers


Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Hab

itat p

rovi

sion

ing

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion

Mixed Systems (livestock, crop, forest and /or aquatic and fisheries): Tropics (M5)

Changes in land and water use and management NK NK NK 0 0 NK 0 0 0

Pollution and external inputs 0 0 NK 0 1 0 0 1 NK


Climate change NK NK 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Natural Disasters Pests, diseases, alien invasive species 0 -1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


Policies 0 -1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Population growth and urbanization 0 NK 0 0 0 0 0 NK 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

59

Production Systems

Drivers


Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Hab

itat p

rovi

sion

ing

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion

Others: Crops: Swamp Systems (Aroids): Tropics (O1)

Changes in land and water use and management 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pollution and external inputs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NK

Over-exploitation and overharvesting 0 0 0 0 NK 0 0 NK 0

Climate change 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Natural Disasters NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Pests, diseases, alien invasive species 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


Policies 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 Population growth and urbanization 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Question 13. Briefly describe the main driver(s) affecting ecosystem services in each production

system, as identified in Table 8. Include where possible a description of the components of

associated biodiversity that are affected, the indicators used to measure change, and the source

of information.

60

Irrigated crops (Rice): Tropics

The use and overuse of pesticides and other chemicals has impacted the rice ecosystem’s ability

to regulate pest and diseases significantly. This can be seen over the last decade during the

frequent outbreaks of paddy bugs (Oebalus poecilus) across the rice producing regions. Even

though there is no data to support the impact of the overuse and inappropriate management of

inorganic fertilizers on nutrient cycling and the waterways surrounding the rice cultivations; the

effects are clearly known. See question 9 for the effects of policies and advancement in

innovations in science and technology.

Irrigated crops (Other): Tropics (C5)

Flooding changes weed spectrum in cultivated areas. Increased incidence of diseases recorded.

Fed & Non-Fed Aquaculture: Tropics (A9 and A13)

Main drivers are climate change and changing economic, socio- political and cultural factors.

Climate change affects ecosystems directly through the severity and frequency of natural

disasters. Availability of water in the quality and quantity required can affect farmers in their

ability to continue operations. Farmed fish can be more expensive than some readily available

wild captured fish, as such people are will buy the cheaper wild caught fish on the local market.

Rainfed Crops, Irrigated Crops (Other), Mixed Systems, Other Crops: Swamp Systems

(Aroids): Tropics (C9, C5, M1, O1)

Guyana has no experience dealing with natural disasters. Neither does it seem that climate

change events have impacted negatively in the irrigated other crops sector. There is evidence that

unseasonal weather has a noted effect on ecosystems services that support hinterland subsistence

agriculture; specifically production of cassava that provide the most important food sources in

these communities. Government policies have perhaps been the most positives driver of

ecosystem services. But policies have come short on management of pests and alien invasive

species management specifically the three main agricultural production systems. Markets, trade

and the private sector have been helpful as they sought to maintain export standards of

commercial agro-commodities from all production systems. Population growth and urbanization

is an important driver of ecosystem services. Its implications are reflected in pest and disease

61

regulation, water purification and waste management, and habitat provisioning. An associated

rapid expansion into new housing communities is perhaps the most effective government policy

that has implications for ecosystems services in coastal communities. Pest regulation was the

most cross-cutting indicators of most drivers. Information gaps (NK) among several indicators

could not allow an extended evaluation of the effect on eco-services. This section relied, in part,

on updated information from the Country Report on the Implementation of the Second GPA on

PGRFA (2016), and on the Guyana Country Report on the State of PGRFA (2012).

2.4 EFFECTS OF DRIVERS OF CHANGE ON WILD FOODS

Question 14. What were the main drivers affecting the availability, knowledge and diversity of

wild foods during the last ten years in the country? In Table 9, indicate the major drivers

affecting availability, knowledge and diversity of wild foods, and if the effects are strongly

positive (2), positive (1), negative (-1), strongly negative (-2), no effect (0), not known (NK), or

not applicable (NA).

Wild food resources are used in some communities as staple. However they do not contribute

significantly to the food and nutrition needs of the Guyanese nation as a whole.

Table 9: Drivers affecting availability, knowledge and diversity of wild foods

Drivers

Effect of drivers (2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Availability of

wild foods

Knowledge of

wild foods

Diversity of

wild food

Changes in land and water use and

management -1 1 NK

Pollution and external inputs 0 0 0

Over-exploitation and overharvesting 0 0 NK

Climate change 0 0 0

Natural Disasters NA NA NA

Pests, diseases, alien invasive species 0 0 0

Markets, trade and the private sector 0 0 0

62

Drivers

Effect of drivers (2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK, NA)

Availability of

wild foods

Knowledge of

wild foods

Diversity of

wild food

Policies 0 0 0

Population growth and urbanization 0 0 0

Changing economic, socio-political, and

cultural factors 0 0 0

Advancements and innovations in science

and technology 0 0 0

Question 15. Briefly describe the main drivers affecting the availability, diversity and knowledge

of wild foods in your country, as identified in Table 9. Include where possible indicators used to

measure change, along with the source of information.

The conservation management and sustainable use of wild plants used as foods are

predominantly under the purview of other the forest, EPA and other sectors in the country. Wild

plant foods are a component of diets of mainly hinterland subsistence communities. Information

is not immediately available as to their significance in food assurance. However, while wild plant

foods should be widely available and the diversity of wild plant foods remains intact, their

diverse food nutritional importance is diminished by this very knowledge gap. Food value apart,

wild plants are ubiquitously popular for their medicinal properties; both proven and in urban

legends.

2.5 EFFECTS OF DRIVERS OF CHANGE ON TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE,

GENDER AND RURAL LIVELIHOODS

In answering questions 16 to 18, describe the major drivers that have had an impact in the last 10

years and include where possible indicators used to measure change, and sources of information.

63

Question 16. Which drivers have had the most significant effect on the involvement of women in

the maintenance and use of biodiversity for food and agriculture?


In the Guyana’s rice industry, women formerly performed tasks such as land preparation,

planting, weeding, harvesting and processing. However, with increased mechanization in the

industry, women field workers have been displaced considerably. Some women are actively

involved in the financial management of their family farm businesses.

Self Recruiting Capture Fisheries, Fed Aquaculture, Non-Fed Aquaculture: Tropics

Policies, changing economic, socio-political, and cultural factors, Access to lands (leased or

ownership), loans, cultural factors.


The effect might be more impacting on Indigenous women in hinterland communities, than on

the coastal regions.

Rainfed Crops, Irrigated Crops (others), Mixed Systems and Crops: Swamp Systems


Favorable government policies, markets, trade and the private sector have in a major way

encouraged more women to be engaged on commercial plant-based agriculture. In the major

plant diversity sink that is considered in situ homesteads and spread country-wide, women folks

are the primary dynamic custodians and sustainable users of plant varietal diversity for food and

agriculture. Habitat provisioning aside, homestead activities has long served to sustain a

deliberate government policy of national food sufficiency; indicative of the attenuating eco-

system services of increased pollinations, efficient water, nutrient, and waste recycling and

habitat provisioning.

Question 17. Which drivers have had the most significant effect on the maintenance and use of

traditional knowledge relating to biodiversity for food and agriculture?

64


In the rice sector, mechanization and advancements in science and technology of the industry has

the most significant effect on the use of traditional knowledge relating to biodiversity. There is

no system in place for the documentation and maintenance of traditional knowledge.


Natural disasters, markets, trade and the private sector, policies, advancement of science and

technology, lack of communication, lack of documentation


Land use patterns can affect the sustainable exploitation of this resource and can therefore have

significant effects on the sustenance on the use of traditional knowledge



Government policies supporting urbanization through an expansive community housing drive

has served to perpetuate a Guyanese tradition of cultivating their homesteads. As urbanization

through housing expansion continues, so too has been the expansion of biodiversity used for

food and agriculture.

Question 18. Which drivers have had the most significant effect on the role of biodiversity for

food and agriculture in improving food security and sustainability?


• advancements and innovations in science and technology

• policies


• Policies

• Markets, trade and the private sector,

• over-exploitation and overharvesting,

• changing economic, socio-political, and cultural factors,

65

• advancements and innovations in science and technology


Some of the drivers which can have significant effect on the role of biodiversity for food and

agriculture are:

• Trade and marketing issues

• Polices at the national and international levels

• Evolving socio-political, economic and cultural factors

• Development in science and technologies

• Impact of globalization



Markets, trade and the private sector continue to be supportive of commercial production in the

'other' crops sector. Production in this sector continues to depend on local crop diversity for food

and agriculture. Paradoxically, however, the most important driver that is sustaining the dynamic

conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA has been successive government's policy of

urbanization through its housing drive.

2.6 COUNTERMEASURES ADDRESSING CURRENT AND EMERGING DRIVERS OF

CHANGE, BEST PRACTICES AND LESSONS LEARNED

Question 19. Referring to the information provided in this Chapter, identify countermeasures

planned or in place to reduce adverse consequences of drivers on a) associated biodiversity, b)

ecosystem services and c) wild foods. Provide any expected outcomes, lessons learned and best

practices.

Countermeasures that are put in place to reduce the consequences of drivers on associated

biodiversity and ecosystem services are:


66

• Integrated Pest Management introduction to farmers which promise to reduce the effect

of drivers such as pollution and external inputs

• Breeding for saline drought tolerant varieties that can withstand delayed harvesting will

help to counteract the effects of climate change.

• Incorporating basal fertilizers; this is done during dry land preparation and will prevent

leeching of nutrients

• The National Biodiversity Action Plan addresses various needs which can reduce the

negative effects of drivers. These include: awareness and education, research, monitoring,

mainstreaming biodiversity into the agriculture sector, legislation relating to biodiversity

for agriculture, and management and sharing of information.

• There is no data available on the effects on drivers of change on ecosystem services in

Guyana, however, according to specialist changes have been observed. The above listed

countermeasures can assist in reducing the effects of these changes.

For Naturally Regenerated Forests:

• Data is not available in Guyana


As a direct result of information limitations highlighted, it is safe to articulate the need for

improved fisheries management in order to sustain the nation`s fisheries biodiversity. In Guyana

the fisheries management system is affected by a number of constraints that can be summed up

as inadequate decision-making mechanisms, lack of conflict resolution and enforcement,

insufficient knowledge of the resources and resource users, insufficient use of scientific and

related information in the decision-making process and inadequate human and financial

resources (CRFM 2004). As such, there is a need to address these constraints as well as find

more innovative ways to manage the fisheries resources in order to optimize the benefits to

stakeholders ultimately. Environmental protection agency has the mandate and legal right to

deem where ponds, cages etc. can be constructed to rear aquatic organisms taking into

consideration the impacts on human and associated biodiversity.

67



NAREI, as per its mandate, is the only agency in Guyana that has a concerted program to

conserve and sustainably use PGRFA. Apart from on-going efforts to conserve crop groups of

economic importance, NAREI's research initiatives have incorporated major themes of climate

change and mitigation across all its departments. And in recent years directed research and field

surveys and monitoring activities in pest management have been elevated. NAREI has a

department that is dedicated to research on land use management and water use efficiency, and

sustainable soil fertility management. Efforts in the forgoing interventions have had mostly

positive results, the details which can be gleaned from Guyana's 2012 Country report on PGRFA

and an Updated report on the Implementation of the Second GPA (2016). The in situ

management of crop wild relatives (CWR) is new to NAREI. It is still debatable whether this

component of PGRFA should be left to the responsibility of the stewards of our forests or

whether these responsibilities should be shared.

68

CHAPTER 3:

THE STATE AND TRENDS OF BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD

AND AGRICULTURE

69

3.1 OVERALL SYNTHESIZED ASSESSMENT OF FOREST, AQUATIC, ANIMAL OR

PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES

Question 20. Describe the overall 1) state, 2) trends and 3) state of conservation of diversity of

forest, aquatic, animal or plant genetic resources in your country with respect to:

a) common characteristics shared by all sectors;

b) major differences between sectors;

c) synergies or trade-offs in the state of diversity between sectors.

Priority for development is given to the agriculture industry, as it is one of the largest

contributors to Guyana’s economy. . Rice has approximately 3500 accession (ex-situ) managed

by GDDB while sugar cane has 1,200 accession in situ at GuySuCo. Emphasis is not only placed

on the major crops: rice and sugarcane; but also on other sectors such as livestock, fisheries, non-

traditional crops and forestry. All agricultural sectors aim for sustainable production and are

making great efforts to conserve their genetic resources; however, due to various factors, this is

not achievable by all. Since agriculture is centered on the coastland; most of its sectors are

subjected to the unfavorable weather and climatic features of this region. Due to funding and

resource limitations there is also a large gap in research and knowledge available for the

sustainable use of biodiversity for food and agriculture. Despite facing the challenges of being a

developing country, Guyana various agriculture sectors have advanced impressively in making

this country sustainable and food secure.

The diversity among 'other' crop species is an important complement guaranteeing our food self-

sufficiency needs are met. With a new paradigm shift towards the sustainable use of plant species

diversity for food and agriculture, the non-traditional sub-sector has assumed an important

complementary role for food security assurance. The non-traditional agriculture landscape

occupies a diverse range of other important non-traditional crops, including coconut, cassava, a

wide diversity of orchard species, green vegetables, and foraged botanicals in and around

homesteads; a ubiquitous diversity of herbals; and an expansive 19 forested ecologies. Except for

cassava, all agricultural products, important for food security and commercial exports are

harvested within the narrow strip of coastal plains.

70

Plant species diversity for food and agriculture is an integral part of our national patrimony; an

entitlement that is associated with an ingrained social culture of coexistence with plants. This

custom is strongly manifested in homestead cultivations and subsistence farming communities.

The homestead cultivation of plant species diversity for food and agriculture represents an

informal but significant depository of in situ diversity. This paradigm is particularly appropriate

because the PGRFA diversity found in homestead communities undisputedly represents the

greatest diversity of PGRFA assembled in Guyana; accounting for more than 80% of the plant

species diversity for food and agriculture that we see all over our country. Government policies

strongly encourage this art form of ‘in situ homesteads’ because to date it has been successful in

so far as it supports a culture of food self-reliance and the economic benefits it brings to lower-

income households.

State of Conservation: The tissue culture facility at NAREI has the only dedicated laboratory in

the country capable of crop species conservation in vitro. Over the years, protocols for local

accessions of plantain, banana, pineapple, yams, and sweet potato were established. The tissue

culture facility has a mandate to provide disease-free planting materials for in-house research and

to complement farmers’ ‘seed cuttings’ requirements. But in the main, the lab seeks to adapt in

vitro tissue culture protocols to facilitate the trans-boundary transfer of exotic crop species that

must obligately depend on this avenue of germplasm exchange. NAREI is designated as the main

depository of ex situ collections for seed regenerated crop species. NAREI’s mandate is for all

crops (approximately 70 agricultural crops species) other than rice and sugarcane. During this

reporting period a small nucleus of crop species were maintained on a seasonal basis. These were

mostly for green vegetable crop species comprising a core collection of mostly exotic

introductions of tomato and Brassica species. Local accessions of tomato, bora, pepper, eggplant,

and poi are routinely maintained on a seasonal basis. Ex situ conservation, carried out at Mon

Repos and Ebini Research Stations, is strategically transient because the storage capacity at Mon

Repos Research Station was markedly reduced. The seed technology facility has recently been

upgraded. NAREI has several ex situ field gene banks, inclusive of pineapple, avocado, cassava,

yams, mango, West Indian cherry, passion fruit, cashew, coconut, Citrus species, and an array of

minor orchard crop species. NAREI field gene banks are spread throughout the country at all of

NAREIs research stations, plant propagation nurseries, and other smaller satellite stations. The

71

number of species conserved in field gene banks is restrained by NAREI’s capability to manage

these depositories. Considering the distribution of root and tubers, and orchard crop species

cultivation in Guyana, both intra- and inter-specific diversity represented in NAREI’s field gene

banks are under-sampled. There are extensive evaluation and characterization data for sweet

potato, and a good start was made for vegetables. That similar data for other vegetatively-

propagated field crop species have been hard to come by may be an artifact of a management

bottle neck.

3.2 STATE AND TRENDS OF ASSOCIATED BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM

SERVICES

Question 21. Have any changes been detected in your country for the different production

systems over the last 10 years in components of associated biodiversity? If so, indicate if trends

are strongly increasing (2), increasing (1), stable (0), decreasing (-1) or strongly decreasing (-2)

in Table 10. If no information is available, indicate not known (NK). If not applicable, (NA).

Table 10: Trends in the state of components of associated biodiversity within production systems

Production system Trends in last 10 years (2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)

Code or Name Micro-

organisms Invertebrates Vertebrates Plants

Irrigated Crops (rice): Tropics (C1) NK NK NK NK

Naturally Regenerated Forests:

Tropics (F 1) NK NK NK NK

Irrigated Crops (Sugarcane):

Tropics (C5) 0 NK NK 1

Irrigated Crops (Other): Tropics

(C5) NK NK NK 0

Self-recruiting capture fisheries:

Tropics (A1) NK NK NK NK

Fed aquaculture: Tropics (A9) 1 0 -1 0

72

Production system Trends in last 10 years (2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)

Code or Name Micro-

organisms Invertebrates Vertebrates Plants


(A13) 1 0 0 0

Livestock grassland-based

systems: Tropical (L1) NK NK NK NK

Livestock landless systems:

Tropical (L5) NK NK NK NK

Mixed Systems (M1) NK NK NK 0

Rainfed Crops: Tropics (C9) NK NK NK 0

Crops: Swamp Systems (Aroids):

Tropics (O1) NK NK NK 0

Question 22. Briefly describe the changes or trends in diversity recorded in Table 10. Where

possible provide information on: baseline levels (last 10 years, indicate if otherwise),

measurements and indicators used, the extent of change, and the likely cause(s). Include

references to the sources of information.


No monitoring is done for the components of associated biodiversity in the rice production

systems in Guyana.

Naturally Regenerated Forests: Tropics

Treats facing Guyana's biodiversity can be either direct or indirect. Direct treats result from

developmental or non-human induced activities that directly affect biodiversity and indirect

threats can result as a consequence of some policy or legislative measures and /or institutional

challenges. Some threats can be viewed as direct treats however they may also have some

indirect negative influence on biodiversity.



73

Apart from a few exotic garden vegetable species that was introduced into commercial

cultivation, the changes in biodiversity and related services in irrigated and mixed cropping

systems have not had appear to be significant. In rainfed hinterland subsistence cropping systems

there were instances of loss of varietal diversity of cassava that is the source of the most

important staple foods. However, compared to the national scope and natural systems of

diversity generation of cassava, these losses would be too miniscule to effect and significant

change in the state of diversity at the national level.

Question 23. Have any changes been detected in your country for the different production

systems over the last 10 years in regulating and supporting ecosystem services? If so, indicate if

trends are strongly increasing (2), increasing (1), stable (0), decreasing (-1) or strongly

decreasing (-2) in Table 11. If no information is available, indicate not known (NK). If not

applicable, (NA).

Table 11: Trends in the state of regulating and supporting ecosystem services within

production systems.

Production Systems Trends in last 10 years (2, 1, 0, -1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

trea

tmen

t

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Prov

isio

ning

of h

abita

t

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

regu

latio

n


(C)1 0 -2 NA NK NK NK NA NK NK

Naturally Regenerated Forests:

Tropics (F1) NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK

74

Production Systems Trends in last 10 years (2, 1, 0, -1, -2, NK, NA)

Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

trea

tmen

t

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Prov

isio

ning

of h

abita

t

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

regu

latio

n

Irrigated Crops (Sugarcane):

Tropics (C 5) NA 0 NA NK 0 0 0 0 NK


(C5) NK -1 0 0 0 0 0 NK 0

Self-recruiting capture fisheries:

Tropics (A1) NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK

Fed aquaculture: Tropics (A9) NA -1 NA 1 1 NA 1 0 1


(A13) NA -1 NA 1 0 NA 1 -1 1

Livestock grassland-based systems:

Tropical (L1) NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK

Livestock landless systems:

Tropical (L5) NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK

Mixed Systems (M1) 0 -1 NK 0 NK 0 0 1 NK

Rainfed Crops: Tropics (C9) 0 -1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Crops: Swamp Systems (Aroids):

Tropics (O1) 0 0 0 0 NK 0 0 NK 0

24. Briefly describe the changes or trends in diversity recorded in Table 11. Where possible

provide information on: baseline levels (last 10 years, indicate if otherwise), measurements and

75

indicators used, the extent of change, and the likely cause(s). Include references to the sources of

information.

Irrigated Crops (Rice): Tropics (C 1)

Based on monitoring reports pest incidence have increased significantly with compared with

natural enemies. According to the entomologist, the paddy bug population has increased

drastically when compared to its natural predators and parasitoids. Disease incidences have also

increased but not as severely as insect pests according to the pathologist’s disease surveys.

However, there have been increases in the incidence and severity of brown spots, sheath blight

and sheath rot in rice.

Naturally Regenerated Forests (F 1)

No data is available

Self Recruiting Fisheries, Fed Aquaculture, Non Fed Aquaculture (A1, A9, A 13)

Trends in aquaculture indicate an increase in pest and diseases affecting farmed species.



During the reporting period, the only major disruption (indicator) to ecosystem services has been

the invasion of two quarantinable pests affecting the plantain and banana, and coconut sub-

sectors in the three major non-traditional crop sub-sectors. The plantain and banana sub-sector

has seen the greatest setback during the initial 2007-2008 years. That the pest is still of economic

importance may an artifact of policies concerning the original response to its discovery. Ongoing

management interventions have seemingly brought both effects of both pests down to

manageable levels. Progress reports on these pest management interventions are reported in the

print media, in NAREI periodic reports (Annual Reports) and reported and analyzed in the

upgraded Guyana Country report on Implementation of the Second GPA on PGRFA (2016).

Question 25. Is there evidence that changes in biodiversity for food and agriculture have

impacted ecosystem services in your country? Indicate if strongly increasing (2), increasing (1),

76

stable (0), decreasing (-1) or strongly decreasing (-2) in Table 12 and provide a description of

specific situations and documentation where available (repeat table for each production system).

77

Table 12: Impact of changes in biodiversity for food and agriculture on ecosystem services.

Production Systems

Changes

Impact of changes in biodiversity for food and agriculture on ecosystem services (2, 1, 0,-1, -2, NK,

NA)

Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Prov

isio

ning

of h

abita

t

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion

Oth

ers:

[ple

ase

spec

ify]

Irrigated Crop (Rice)

C1

Changes in animal genetic resources NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

Changes in crop genetic resources 0 +1 NK NK NK NK NK NK NK

Changes in forest genetic resources NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

Changes in aquatic genetic resources NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK

Changes in micro-organism genetic resources (associated biodiversity)


Changes in invertebrates genetic resources (associated biodiversity)


Changes in vertebrates genetic resources (associated biodiversity)


Changes in plants genetic resources (associated biodiversity)


78

Production Systems

Changes

Impact of changes in biodiversity for food and agriculture on ecosystem services (2, 1, 0,-1, -2,

NK, NA)

Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Prov

isio

ning

of h

abita

t

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion

Naturally Regenerated

Forests: Tropics

(F1)

Changes in animal genetic resources NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK

Changes in crop genetic resources NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK

Changes in forest genetic resources NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK NK










79

Production Systems

Changes


NK, NA)

Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Prov

isio

ning

of h

abita

t

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion

Irrigated Crop

(Sugarcane) C5


Changes in crop genetic resources NK 0 NK NK NK NK NK NK 1











80

Production Systems

Changes


NK, NA)

Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Prov

isio

ning

of h

abita

t

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion

Irrigated Crop

(Other) C5


Changes in crop genetic resources 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NK 0










0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

81

Production Systems

Changes


NK, NA)

Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Prov

isio

ning

of h

abita

t

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion














82

Production Systems

Changes


NK, NA)

Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Prov

isio

ning

of h

abita

t

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion

Fed aquaculture: Tropics

Changes in animal genetic resources NA 1 NK NK NK NK NK 1 NK

Changes in crop genetic resources NA NA NK NK NK NK NK NK NK

Changes in forest genetic resources NA NA NK NK NK NK NK NK NK

Changes in aquatic genetic resources NA 1 NK NK NK NK NK 1 NK


NA 2 NK NK NK NK NK 1 NK


NA NA NK NK NK NK NK NK NK





83

Production Systems

Changes


NK, NA)

Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Prov

isio

ning

of h

abita

t

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion


Changes in animal genetic resources NA 1 NK NK NK NK NK 1 NK

Changes in crop genetic resources NA NA NK NK NK NK NK NK NK

Changes in forest genetic resources NA NA NK NK NK NK NK NK NK

Changes in aquatic genetic resources NA 1 NK NK NK NK NK 1 NK









84

Production Systems

Changes


NK, NA)

Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Prov

isio

ning

of h

abita

t

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion

Livestock grassland-

based systems: Tropics

(L1)













85

Production Systems

Changes


NK, NA)

Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Prov

isio

ning

of h

abita

t

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion

Livestock landless systems: Tropics

(L5)













86

Production Systems

Changes


NK, NA)

Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Prov

isio

ning

of h

abita

t

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion

Mixed systems: Tropics (M1)


Changes in crop genetic resources 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0










0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

87

Production Systems

Changes


NK, NA)

Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Prov

isio

ning

of h

abita

t

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion

Rainfed Crops: Tropics

(C9)












0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

88

Production Systems

Changes


NK, NA)

Code or Name

Polli

natio

n

Pest

and

dis

ease

reg

ulat

ion

Wat

er p

urifi

catio

n an

d w

aste

tr

eatm

ent

Nat

ural

haz

ard

regu

latio

n

Nut

rien

t cyc

ling

Soil

form

atio

n an

d pr

otec

tion

Wat

er c

yclin

g

Prov

isio

ning

of h

abita

t

Prod

uctio

n of

oxy

gen/

Gas

re

gula

tion

Crops: Swamp Systems (Aroids): Tropics

(O1)












0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

89

Question 26. Briefly describe the impacts on ecosystem services recorded in Table 12. Where

possible provide information on: baseline levels (last 10 years, indicate if otherwise),

measurements and indicators used, the extent of change, and the likely cause(s). Include

references to the sources of information.


Over the years, GRDB has been breeding for disease resistant varieties. To date, all of the newly

released high yielding varieties are resistant to rice blast, which was once one of the most

destructive diseases of rice in Guyana.

Naturally Regenerated Forests (F1)


Self Recruiting Fisheries, Fed Aquaculture, Non-Fed Aquaculture




Except for introduction of some exotic improved garden vegetable varieties into commercial

irrigated production systems, all other crop production systems are sown to close to 100% of

farmers' (landrace) varieties. The composition of crop stands under these landrace varieties

usually comprises a mix of crop strains. Although the mixed composition is dynamic, changes in

this dynamics will hardly likely impact ecosystem services in a significant way. Information

about the effect on habitat provisioning of possibly increased use of agrochemicals in irrigated

garden vegetable production systems is not immediately available. The GUYANA Country

Report on the State of PGRFA (2012) is herein generally referenced.

27. List any associated biodiversity species or sub-species (if information is available) that are

in some way actively managed in your country to help provide regulating or supporting

ecosystem services in Table 13. Indicate in which production systems they occur and indicate if

diversity information is available. Provide any available sources of information.

90

Table 13: Associated biodiversity species that are in some way actively managed in your

country to help provide regulating or supporting ecosystem services.

Ecosystem

service

provided

Actively managed

species (name) and

sub-species (where

available)

Production systems

(code or name)

Availability

of diversity

information

(Y/N)

Source of

information

Pollination

A wide spectrum of

species representing

more than 80% of

diversity used for

PGRFA are housed

mainly in so-called in

situ homesteads and on-

farm cultivations.

Irrigated crops

(other): Tropics

Rainfed crops:

Tropics; Mixed

Systems: Tropics

Y

NISM

Database; Doc:

Food Plants

Cultivated in

Guyana,

NAREI

Pest and disease

regulation

Amazon fly: Cotesia

flavipes

Irrigated crops

(other) Tropical Y

GuySuCo

Annual Reports

Water

purification and

waste treatment

NK

Natural hazard

regulation NK

Nutrient cycling NK

Soil formation

and protection NK

Water cycling NK

Habitat

provisioning Arapaima Non Fed aquaculture Y

WWF,

Arapaima

Management

Plan

Production of

oxygen/ Gas NK

91

Ecosystem

service

provided

Actively managed

species (name) and

sub-species (where

available)

Production systems

(code or name)

Availability

of diversity

information

(Y/N)

Source of

information

regulation

Question 28. Does your country have monitoring activities related to associated biodiversity? If

yes, describe these. Where possible provide information on the components of associated

biodiversity that are monitored and on the geographical coverage of the monitoring system

(local, regional, national, global). Include references to the sources of information, if possible.


There are no monitoring activities for associated biodiversity in rice production system in

Guyana. However, monitoring for insect pests is done throughout the year insect pests is done

throughout the year across the rice belt in Guyana. During these monitoring activities, in addition

to the number of pest found, recordings are also being done for natural enemies of the insect

pests.

Naturally Regenerated Forests: Tropics (F 1)

Guyana has a strong and continuously improving system of forest monitoring and regulation in

the forest sector. There is an inherent deterrent to illegal activities, systems of reporting and

monitoring that lends to the fulfillment of most, if not all elements of an effective chain of

custody management system of forest product from the point of harvest to export; and a system

that allows for verification of legal origin of forest product. To support the GFC's monitoring

system, GFC has 39 forest stations strategically located throughout the country, complemented

with 10 additional mobile monitoring units. The national log tagging and tracking system allows

for verification of origin to be enabled.

Self Recruiting Capture Fisheries, Fed Aquaculture, Non-Fed Aquaculture: Tropics (A1,

A9, A13)

92

The Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society (GMTCS) works to ensure the future existence

and population recovery of all the four species of marine turtles known to nest in Guyana, while

at the same time addressing the needs of the user communities which fits in with the

Environmental Protection Act No. 11 of 1996 which is entitled "Wildlife management and

conservation Regulation"

Livestock grassland-based systems, livestock landless systems: Tropics (L1, L5 and M1)

Guyana has an effective monitoring system in place. The information resides with the Guyana

Wildlife Management Authority.



NAREI is the only agency in Guyana with a mandate and programmes for surveying and

monitoring non-traditional crops species in Guyana. With a mandate for research on more than

30 species of economic importance and a commitment to safeguard more than 77 crop species

NAREI's geographic coverage takes its researchers to all ecologies of the country. NAREI

manages the NISM database that documents all information related to PGRFA.

3.3 SPECIES OF ASSOCIATED BIODIVERSITY AT RISK OF LOSS

In this section the objective is to identify species of associated biodiversity within the country

that are at significant risk of loss, degradation or extinction.

Question 29. List in Table 14 any components of associated biodiversity for which there is

evidence of a significant threat of extinction or of the loss of a number of important populations

in your country. Specify the degree of the threat according to the classification in use in your

country or following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria18. Include a description of the

threat and list references or sources of information if available.

Table 14: Main threats to associated biodiversity identified as at risk.

Associated

biodiversity species Degree of threat Main threat

References or sources of

information if available

93

Vouacapoua

americana Critically endangered IUCN

Trichilia surumuensis Endangered IUCN

Aniba rosaedora Endangered IUCN

Virola surinmensis Endangered IUCN

Pteronura brasiliensis Endangered IUCN

Aratinga solstitialis Endangered IUCN

Synallaxis kollari Endangered IUCN

Carduelis cucullate Endangered IUCN

3.4 CONSERVATION OF ASSOCIATED BIODIVERSITY

This section collects information on the state of conservation of components of associated

biodiversity providing ecosystem services within production systems in your country.

Question 30. Does your country currently have any ex situ conservation or management

activities or programmes for associated biodiversity for food and agriculture? These may

include, for example, culture collections, collections of pollinators, etc. If so, list these in Table

15.

94

Table 15: Ex situ conservation or management activities or programmes for associated

biodiversity for food and agriculture.

Components

of associated

biodiversity

Organisms,

species and sub-

species (where

available)

conserved

Size of

collection

Conservation

conditions Objective(s)

Characterization

and evaluation

status

Micro-

organisms

Bacillus sp. and

Pseudomonas sp. - -

For the

control of

rice diseases:

Blast and

Sheath Blight

These projects are

scheduled to

commence.

Beauveria sp. - - For the

control of

rice pest:

paddy bugs

(Oebalus

poecilus)

Invertebrates Telenomus sp.

Ladybird beetles - -

This project is part

of the National

Paddy Bug

Management Project

and are scheduled to

commence soon

Vertebrates NK NK NK NK NK

Plants NK NK NK NK NK

Question 31. Does your country currently have any in situ conservation and management

activities or programmes in your country that support the maintenance of associated

biodiversity? If so provide any available information on organisms and species managed or

conserved, site name and location, production system(s) involved, conservation objective and

specific actions that secure associated biodiversity or ecosystem services (if any).

95

Table 16: In situ conservation or management activities or programmes for associated


Components

of associated

biodiversity

Organisms,

species and

sub-species

(where

available)

conserved

Site name

and location

Production

system(s)

involved

(code or

name)

Conservation

objective(s)

Specific

actions that

secure

associated

biodiversity

or ecosystem

services

Micro-

organisms NK NK NK NK NK

Invertebrates

Cotesia

flavipes:

Amazon fly

All Sugar

Estates and

GARC

C 5 Mass Rearing Bio-control

NK NAREI, Mon

Repos

Rainfed

crops:

Tropical

Pink Mealey

Bug control

Insectary

conservation

Vertebrates Arapaima

gigas

Rema Lodge,

region 8

Maintain a

healthy

population of

Arapaima

Arapaima

Management

Plan

Plants NK NK NK NK NK

Question 32. What activities are undertaken in your country to maintain traditional knowledge of

associated biodiversity? Has traditional knowledge of associated biodiversity been used to

inform conservation and use decisions in your country? Please share best practices and lessons

learned.

96

• No activities are undertaken for maintaining traditional knowledge of associated

biodiversity in the irrigated rice systems.

• There is no data available for the activities done to maintaining traditional knowledge of

associated biodiversity in the naturally regenerated forest.

• For self recruiting capture fisheries, fed aquaculture, and non-fed aquaculture: Traditional

knowledge of associated biodiversity is maintained by native villagers through formal

and informal meetings would pass on traditional knowledge as their livelihoods depend

on traditional practices.



The use of traditional knowledge (TK) is integral to the dynamic management of on-farm and in-

homestead PGRFA. More than 80% of PGRFA in the 'other' crops sub-sector in the country is

comprised of farmers' varieties. In coastal, near-coastal, riparian homesteads and hinterland

subsistence farming communities TK informs the characterization, sustainable use, and dynamic

conservation priorities of PGRFA. Accordingly, the most effective conservation strategy in the

country is exemplified by the strategies used by managers of homesteads and hinterland farming

communities. In the management of its ex-situ field gene banks, orthodox seed storage, and in-

vitro stored collections, NAREI has benefited from TK to set its conservation priorities.

Question 33. Provide any available information on gender dimensions with respect to the

maintenance of and knowledge about associated biodiversity. These may include differences in

the roles and insights of women and men with respect to maintaining particular resources,

monitoring their state, overseeing their management at different stages of production or

ecosystem management.

• No information available.

Traditional knowledge is widely used in Guyana and has been known to be both factual and also

stuff of urban legends. For these reasons, the fairer gender / farmers is often regarded as being

the most endowed from a reliability perspective. But generally, it is apparent that women may

97

play a greater role in the use and conservation of PGRFA since they are more temporally

associated with the biodiversity.

3.5 STATE AND TRENDS OF WILD RESOURCES USED FOR FOOD

Question 34. Provide in Table 17 a list of wild food species known to be harvested, hunted,

captured or gathered for food in your country, and that are not already included in a completed

or ongoing Country Report on Forest, Aquatic, Animal or Plant Genetic Resources. Indicate in

or around which production system the species is present and harvested, and the change in state

of the species over the last 10 years (strongly increasing (2), increasing (1), stable (0),

decreasing (-1), or strongly decreasing (-2), or not known (NK)). Indicate where differences

within species have been identified and characterized.

Wild food resources are significantly utilized by the people in the Hinterland communities, but

overall it does not contribute significantly to Guyanese food and nutrition requirements

Table 17: Wild species used for food in the country.

Species

(local name)

Species

(scientific

name)

Production

systems or

other

environments in

which present

and harvested

Change in

state (2,1,0,-

1,-2, NK)

Differences

within species

identified and

characterized

(Y/N)

Source of

information

NK Assorted

plant species NK

Rainfed

production

systems

0 NK NISM,

NAREI

3.6 WILD FOOD RESOURCES AT RISK

In this section the objective is to identify uncultivated and wild species used for food within the

country that are at significant risk of loss.

98

Question 35. List in Table 18 any wild food species for which there is evidence of a significant

threat of extinction or of the loss of a number of important populations in your country. Specify

the degree of threat according to the classification in use in your country or following the IUCN

Red List Categories And Criteria19. Include a description of the threat and list references or

sources of information if available.

Table 18: Main threats to wild food species identified as at risk.

Wild food species

(scientific name) Degree of threat

Main threat

(indicate)

References or

sources of

information if

available

NK 0 0 NIISM, NAREI

Wild plant species popular for food are found mainly in hinterland communities, and all human

communities in the country that are settled. There is no community that is dependent on wild

plant sources for food. While the wild sources of plant foods may be desirable, they do not seem

to influence the status of food and nutrition assurance or food security.

3.7 CONSERVATION OF WILD RESOURCES USED FOR FOOD

Question 36. Are any ex situ conservation or management activities or programmes established

in your country for wild food species? These may include, for example, culture collections,

collections of insects, fungi, etc. If so, list these in Table 19.

Table 19: Ex situ conservation or management activities or programmes for wild food species.

Wild food species

conserved (scientific

name)

Size of collection

(number of accessions

and quantities)

Conservation

conditions Objective(s)

Characterization

and evaluation

status

NA NA NA NA NA

Question 37. Are any in situ conservation and management activities or programmes established

in your country that supports maintenance of wild food species? If so list these in Table 20

99

provide the following information for each activity or program: site name and location,

production system(s) involved, conservation objective and specific actions that secure wild food

species (if any).

Table 20: In situ conservation or management activities or programmes for wild food

species.

Wild food species conserved

(scientific name)

Site name and

location

Size and

environment

Conservation

objective(s)

Actions

taken

NA NA NA NA NA

Question 38. What activities are undertaken in your country to maintain traditional knowledge of

wild food species (indicate if the extent to which these have already been described in sector

reports)? How can traditional knowledge of wild food species be accessed and used to inform

conservation and use decisions?

Please refer to Questions 32 and 33 above.

Question 39. Provide any available information on gender dimensions with respect to the

maintenance of and knowledge about wild food species. These may include differences in the

roles and insights of women and men with respect to harvesting particular resources, monitoring

their state, overseeing their ecosystem management.

Cultural traditions in general will suggest that the roles of both genders are split equally.

However, in view the notion that women folks are temporally more associated with the use of

wild food plants, their information is often preferentially solicited.

3.8 NATURAL OR HUMAN-MADE DISASTERS AND BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD

AND AGRICULTURE

This section collects information on natural or human-made disasters and their impact on and

response from biodiversity for food and agriculture as a whole.

100

Question 40. Has your country experienced any natural or human-made disaster(s) that has had

a significant effect on biodiversity for food and agriculture and/or on ecosystem services in the

past 10 years? List in Table 21 those for which any information exists on their effect on

biodiversity for food and agriculture and/or ecosystem services. Indicate the effect on different

components or services as significant increase (2), increase (1), no change (0), some loss (-1),

significant loss (–2), or not known (NK).

Table 21: Natural or human-made disasters that has had a significant effect on

biodiversity for food and agriculture in the past 10 years in the country.

Disaster

description

Production system(s)

affected (code or

name)

Effect on overall biodiversity

for food and agriculture

(2, 1, 0, -1, -2, NK)

Effect on ecosystem

services

(2, 1, 0, -1, -2, NK)

Flood C1 -2 NK

Drought C1 -2 NK

Flood C5 -1 -1

Flood A9 -2 NK

Drought A9 -2 NK

Flood L1, L5, M5 NK NK

Drought L1, L5, M5 NK NK

Question 41. Briefly summarize any available information, including the year of the disaster, a

description of the effects of the disaster on the different components of biodiversity for food and

agriculture and/or on the effects on ecosystem services, and references to the supporting

documentation.

There is limited information on the impact of the above listed disasters on biodiversity for food

and agriculture; however, the flood that occurred in 2005 was well documented in many of the

agriculture sectors.

101

Irrigated Rice: Tropics (C1)

The rice industry is the largest agricultural sub-sector in Guyana. During the 2005 flood,

approximately 1,118 rice farmers occupying 27,583 acres were affected (UNDP and ECLAC

2006). Losses in the industry was estimated at GYD $1.9 billion (UNDP and ECLAC 2006).

Naturally Regenerated Forests

No data available


Extensive flooding resulted in erosion of plots and change in the weed spectrum.

Fed Aquaculture (A 9)

During the year 2005, two of Guyana's Coastal regions, region 4 and region 5 were severely

affected by flooding due to the overtopping of the East Demerara Conservancy. As a result of

this, the Fed- Aquaculture Production System was affected, ponds were overflowing and were in

contact with the flood waters, allowing fishes to escape their ponds and coming in contact with

predators (snakes, ciamans and even humans). The habitats for these aquaculture species were

destroyed (natural phytoplankton and zooplankton), due to the quality of water when they were

in contact with the flood waters. Also, when coming in contact with 'like-species' breeding would

occur resulting in 'Feral' specie.

During the second half of 2015- March 2016 Guyana, was affected with a severe dry spell period

also known as 'El Nino'. Affected regions were mainly, regions 3, 4, 5, and 6, thus both Fed and

Non-Fed Aquaculture Production Systems were affected. In regions 3, 4 and 5 where Fed

aquaculture is predominately done, were affected by the unavailability of fresh water resulting in

the reduction of production mainly because of the poor water quality and aquaculture species

were placed under stress resulting in poor growth rate and weight gain. Also, there was a

reduction due to the dying off of natural phytoplankton and zooplankton mainly because of the

limited water available.

102

As for Region 6 where Non- Fed Aquaculture production system is done there was limited

freshwater available, forcing species to grow in mostly saltwater, this also resulted in a reduction

of production in terms of weight gain and growth rate, disrupting the entire ecosystem

Question 42. Provide any available evidence from your country that changes in biodiversity for

food and agriculture caused by natural or human-made disasters have had an effect on

livelihoods, food security and nutrition.

Guyana is at a high risk for flooding and is most vulnerable at the Coastal Zone. Majority of the

country’s population as well as its agriculture, industrial and commercial sectors are located on

the coast. Factors that contribute to the coastlands having a high risk of flooding include:

• Heavy rainfall;

• overflow and breaches of the seawall defense system, conservancy dams and river

embankments;

• inadequate drainage and irrigation network, such as human error in operation; and

• poor solid waste management within the urban drainage system.

Table 22: Flood and Drought Events in Guyana 1990 – 2015 (International Disaster Database, 2016)

Time

Disaster

Event

Number of

Persons

Affected

Number of

Deaths

Economic

Damage

($US’000)

Percentage

of GDP

July 1997 Flood 21,000 Not Available 200 Not Available

July 1996 Flood 38,000 Not Available 1,000 Not Available

15th January, 2005 Flood 274,774 34 465,000 60%

8th January, 2006 Flood 35,000 Not Available 169,000 Not Available

8th December, 2008 Flood 100,000 Not Available NA Not Available

July, 2015 Flood 199,000 Not Available Not Available Not Available

July 1997 Drought 607,200 Not Available 290,000 Not Available

January 2010 Drought Not Available Not Available 147,000 Not Available

103

The Agriculture sector is considered the most important sector plays a crucial role in contributing

to Guyana’s economy. In 2000, agriculture accounted for 33.1% of the Gross Domestic Product

(GDP), and was increased to 35.4% in 2004 (UNDP and ECLAC 2006). However; due to the

negative impact of the 2005 flood, the sector’s contribution to the GDP declined (UNDP and

ECLAC 2006).

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Disaster Risk Management Plan, there were major

impacts to the agriculture sector especially in the following Regions: West Demerara/Essequibo

Islands, Demerara/Mahaica and Mahaica/West Berbice. Region 4 was the most affected region,

recording a total damage of 55%. Considerable losses were recorded in the sugar, rice, livestock

and subsectors (Ministry of Agriculture 2013).

Figure 8: Agriculture’s Contribution to the Total GDP – 2000-2005 (UNDP and ECLAC

2006).

Figure 6 shows the decline in the agriculture industry contribution to Guyana’s gross domestic

product.

Question 43. Provide any available evidence that the enhanced use of biodiversity for food and

agriculture has contributed to improving livelihoods, food security and nutrition in the context of

natural or human-made disasters. Describe and provide source of information.

No data/information available.

104

3.9 INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES AND BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND

AGRICULTURE

Question 44. Are there invasive alien species identified in your country that have had a

significant effect on biodiversity for food and agriculture in the past 10 years? List in Table 23

those for which any information exists on their effect on biodiversity for food and agriculture

and/or ecosystem services. Indicate the effect on different components or services as strong

increase (2), increase (1), no effect (0), some loss (-1), significant loss (-2), or not known (NK).

Table 23: Invasive alien species that have had a significant effect on biodiversity for food

and agriculture in the past 10 years.

Invasive alien species

(scientific name)

Production system(s)

affected

(code or name)

Effect on

components of

biodiversity for food

and agriculture

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK)

Effect on ecosystem

services

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK)

Echinochloa

pyramidalis

Irrigated crops

(other): Tropical;

Rainfed crops:

Tropical

0 -1

Question 45. Briefly summarize any available information related to the invasive alien species

listed in Table 23, including a description of the effects of the invasive alien species on the

different components of biodiversity for food and agriculture and/or on the effects on ecosystem

services, and references to the supporting documentation.

Echinochloa pyramidalis is the most pervasive aquatic weed in Guyana. It colonizes drainage

channels in the City, towns and villages, on-farm irrigation and drainage channels, tributaries and

rivers of commercially routes in the country. It strives on the ever-present nutrient-rich effluents

form farms and homesteads, and has contributed in a major way to flooding in urban and coastal

105

communities. Costs in restoring eco-systems services following Echinochloa pyramidalis

invasion is often prohibitive and the sight of the weed is an ever-present menace.

Question 46. Has biodiversity for food and agriculture contributed to managing the spread and

proliferation or controlling established invasive alien species in your country? If yes, provide

information on the invasive alien species involved, the components of biodiversity for food and

agriculture and any indication on how the components of biodiversity contributed to managing

the spread and proliferation or controlling established invasive alien species in your country.

Provide references to the supporting documentation.

Echinochloa pyramidalis has no known interaction with PGRFA that would seemingly enhance

its proliferation.

106

3.10 SIMILARITIES, DIFFERENCES AND INTERACTIONS

Question 47. Comment on those aspects with respect to the state, trends and conservation of

associated biodiversity or wild food biodiversity in relation to the state, trends and conservation

of sector genetic resources. It would be helpful to provide your observations under the following

headings:

a) main similarities between associated biodiversity, wild food diversity and the different

sectors;

b) major differences between associated biodiversity, wild food diversity and the different

sectors;

c) synergies or trade-offs between associated biodiversity, wild food diversity and the different

sectors.

There is little or no research on the significance of associated biodiversity to food and agriculture

in Guyana; as such the conservation of these organisms is not given the deserved attention.

Sectors that are in some way conserving associated biodiversity or aiming to do so are mainly

focused on those organisms that have the ability to regulate pest and diseases.

3.11 GAPS AND PRIORITIES

Question 48. With respect to the state, trends and conservation of associated biodiversity and

ecosystem services:

a) What are the major gaps in information and knowledge?

• There is limited knowledge on the economic and ecosystem contributions of associated

biodiversity.

• No information on the impact of various drivers of change on associated biodiversity.

• The lack of quality baseline and trend data about biodiversity has contributed to low

knowledge or a definitive status of biodiversity and hence determining where

conservation or other biodiversity related efforts should focus. Quality data and

information exists, it is not clear if it is being used fully to bring about environmental

improvement.

107

• There is an absence of a single, authoritative and scientifically generated source of

biodiversity information.

• There is a dearth of data and information related to biodiversity generated by various

ministries, agencies, commissions, international and national NGOs and in libraries and

universities both in Guyana.

• There is no prior determination of biodiversity significance of an area before acquiring

rights (mining/forestry/agricultural) to proceed with an economic activity.

b) What are the main capacity or resources limitations?

• There is a lack of funding and specialized human resources.

c) What are the main policy and institutional constraints?

• There is no policy or legislation for the conservation and sustainable of associated

biodiversity.

• Research institutions focus their programs more on increasing productivity through

external inputs rather than depending on ecological services.

• The associated mandated agency that is NAREI is overburdened with too many diverse

mandatory responsibilities to devote remnant resources to PGRFA programmes and

activities.

• Limited resources are diverted towards genetic resources for food and agriculture

programmes and activities.

• Limited or no awareness and poor implementation of some policies/ action plans such as

NBAP.

• Insufficient coverage of biodiversity in major legislations and no attention to Biodiversity

for Food and Agriculture.

d) What actions are required and what would be the priorities?

• To fill the knowledge gap on associated biodiversity for food and agriculture in Guyana;

monitoring programs should be established for each production systems to identify trends

and quantify the economic importance of associated.

108

• Mainstreaming of biodiversity in the productive and ecotourism sectors

Question 49. With respect to the state, trends and conservation of wild resources used for food:


• In-situ conservation management of wild plant resources used for food (crop wild

relatives, CWR) is new to Guyana. There seem to be difficulties in bridging an apparent

administrative gap at, a national level, between responsibilities for the management of in-

situ CWRs.


• Trained personnel


• Wild plants used for food are under the purview of the Guyana Forestry Commission,

Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Protected Areas System of the EPA,

and widely on protected Amerindian Reservation. Conservation of wild plants by

other agencies does not actively consider those components related to food

production.


• All agencies must be alerted about a paradigm shift towards an ‘interest’ in CWRs.

• And both field gene banks and especially orthodox seed storage systems must now

actively include storage of some critically vulnerable CWRs.

Question 50. With respect to the impact and response to natural or human-made disasters and

biodiversity for food and agriculture:


• There are limited studies done on the impact of natural and human-made disasters on

biodiversity for food and agriculture. Data collection is focused more on the economic

losses in agriculture when a disaster occurs.


109

• There is lack of funding and trained personnel.


There are a number of disaster risk management plan in Guyana; some include:

• National Integrated Disaster Risk Management Plan And Implementation Strategy For

Guyana;

• Multi-Hazard Disaster Preparedness & Response Plan; and

• Disaster Risk Management Plan For The Agriculture Sector 2013 – 2018

The above plans target various aspects of disaster risk management; some of which include

projects for:

• Risk identification, prevention and mitigation

• Awareness, preparedness, and response

• Recovery

• Policies and plans for risk management, damage needs and analysis, flood response and

preparedness

• Intuition and capacity strengthening

These plans and projects need to be implemented and those that are ongoing require better

management and monitoring for their effective functioning.


• Studies to determine the effect of both natural and human-made disaster on associated

biodiversity and biodiversity for food and agriculture.

• Development of policies that specifically target the conservation of associated

biodiversity and sustainable management of biodiversity for food and agriculture.

51. With respect to the impact of invasive alien species on biodiversity for food and agriculture:


• Guyana's capacity to deal with the consequences of invasive species is limited,

information on consequences of invasive species are widely available.

110

c) What are the main capacity or resources limitations?

• Funding


• Government resources devoted to invasive aquatic weed management in particular are

somewhat disconnected to the focal agency who is responsible for plant science research

in the country.


• The effective management of other invasive species should be well coordinated and given

the appropriate resources, will do well to counter-invasion of quarantinable species.

111

CHAPTER 4:

THE STATE OF USE OF BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

112

4.2 THE USE OF MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OR ACTIONS THAT FAVOR OR

INVOLVE THE USE OF BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Question 52. For each of the production systems present in your country (indicated in Table 3)

indicate in Table 24 the extent of use of management practices that are considered to favor the

maintenance and use of biodiversity for food and agriculture.

A full description of the production practices listed is given in Annex 5 and the table below

should be completed separately for each production system.

In each table indicate the percent of total production area or quantity under the practice (where

known), changes that have occurred over the last 10 years in the production area or quantity

under the practice (significant increase (2), some increase (1), no change (0), some decrease (-1),

significant decrease (-2), not known (NK), not applicable (NA)), and any identified change in

biodiversity for food and agriculture associated with the practice (strongly increasing (2)

increasing (1), stable (0) decreasing (-1), strongly decreasing (-2), not known (NK), not

applicable (NA)).

Table 24: Management practices that are considered to favor the maintenance and use of

biodiversity for food and agriculture

Irrigated crops (rice) : Tropics C1

Management Practices

Percent of production area

or quantity under the

practice (%)

Change in production area

or quantity under the practice

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)

Effect on biodiversity for


(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)

Integrated Plant Nutrient

Management (IPNM)

NK NK NK

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) NK NK NK

Pollination management NA NA NA

Landscape management NA NA NA

113





practice (%)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)

Sustainable soil management

practices

NA NA NA

Conservation agriculture NA NA NA

Water management practices,

water harvesting

NK NK NK

Agroforestry NA NA NA

Organic agriculture NA NA NA

Low external input agriculture NA NA NA

Home gardens NA NA NA

Areas designated by virtue of

production features and

approaches

NK NK NK

Ecosystem approach to capture

fisheries

NA NA NA

Conservation hatcheries NA NA NA

Reduced-impact logging NA NA NA

114

Naturally Regenerated Forest (F 1)




practice (%)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)


Management (IPNM)

NK NK NK


Pollination management NK NK NK

Landscape management NK NK NK


practices

NK NK NK

Conservation agriculture NK NK NK


water harvesting

NK NK NK

Agroforestry NK NK NK

Organic agriculture NK NK NK

Low external input agriculture NK NK NK

Home gardens NK NK NK



approaches

NK NK NK


fisheries

NK NK NK

Conservation hatcheries NK NK NK

Reduced-impact logging NK NK NK

115

Irrigated crops (Sugarcane) : Tropics C5




practice (%)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)


Management (IPNM)

100 0 1

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 100 0 1

Pollination management

Landscape management


practices

20% Annually 1 1

Conservation agriculture NA NA NA


water harvesting

NA NA NA


Organic agriculture NA NA NA





approaches

NA NA NA


fisheries

NA NA NA



116

Irrigated crops (Other) : Tropics C5




practice (%)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)


Management (IPNM)

NK 0 0

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) NK 0 NK

Pollination management NK 0 0

Landscape management NK 0 0


practices

NK 0 0

Conservation agriculture NK 0 0


water harvesting

NK 0 0

Agroforestry NK 0 0

Organic agriculture NK 0 0

Low external input agriculture NK 0 0

Home gardens 30 1 1



approaches

30 0 NK


fisheries

NK NK 0

Conservation hatcheries NK NK 0


117





practice (%)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)


Management (IPNM)

NK NK NK





practices

NK NK NK



water harvesting

NK NK NK







approaches

NK NK NK


fisheries

NK NK NK



118

Fed Aquaculture: Tropics




practice (%)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)


Management (IPNM)

NA NA NA

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) NA NA NA


Landscape management NA NA NA


practices

NK NK NK

Conservation agriculture 30 NK NK


water harvesting

20 NK NK


Organic agriculture 25 NK NK


Home gardens 30 NK NK



approaches

NA NA NA


fisheries

NA NA NA

Conservation hatcheries 0 NK NK


119

Non-Fed Aquaculture: Tropics




practice (%)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)


Management (IPNM)

NK NK NK





practices

NK NK NK



water harvesting

NK NK NK







approaches

NK NK NK


fisheries

NK NK NK



120

Livestock Grassland Based Systems (L 1)




practice (%)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)


Management (IPNM)

NK NK NK





practices

NK NK NK



water harvesting

NK NK NK







approaches

NK NK NK


fisheries

NK NK NK



121

Livestock Landless Systems (L 5)




practice (%)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)


Management (IPNM)

NK NK NK





practices

NK NK NK



water harvesting

NK NK NK







approaches

NK NK NK


fisheries

NK NK NK



122

Mixed Systems (M 1)




practice (%)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)


Management (IPNM) NK 0 1

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) NK 0 1

Pollination management NK 0 NK



practices NK 0 0

Conservation agriculture NK 0 0


water harvesting NA 0 0

Agroforestry NK 0 0



Home gardens 50 1 1



approaches

50 0 NK


fisheries NK NK 0

Conservation hatcheries NK NK 0


123

Rainfed Crops (C 9)




practice (%)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)


Management (IPNM) NK 0 0

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) NK 0 1

Pollination management NK 0 NK



practices NK NK 0

Conservation agriculture NK NK 0


water harvesting NK 0 0

Agroforestry NK 0 0



Home gardens 10 0 0



approaches

10 0 0


fisheries NK NK 0



124

Crops: Swamp Systems (Aroids): Tropics (O 1)




practice (%)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)



(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)


Management (IPNM) 100 0 NK

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 100 0 0


Landscape management 100 0 0


practices 100 0 0

Conservation agriculture 100 0 0


water harvesting 100 0 1



Low external input agriculture 100 0 0




approaches

100 0 NK


fisheries NK 0 NK



125

Provide or cite references to any documentary evidence that exists to support the evaluation

given above. Indicate where practices used in a production system are affecting biodiversity for

food and agriculture in another production system.

Management practices are undertaken in most sectors however; for most sectors, no

data/information is available on the area under practice and the effect of these management

practices.

Irrigated Crops (Other), Rainfed Crops, Mixed Systems, Swamp Systems (Aroids): Tropics

Expansion of homestead communities had a multiplier effect on the intensity and distribution of

biodiversity used for food and agriculture in the three above listed production systems. And with

this increased distribution of agro-biodiversity, it is logical to believe that there should be a

corresponding reduction in genetic drift in especially the plants and livestock components.

Question 53. For each of the production systems present in your country (indicated in Table 3)

indicate in Table 25 the extent of use of diversity based practices that involve the use of


A definition of the diversity based practices listed is provided in Annex 6; the table below should

be completed separately for each production system.

In each table indicate the percent of total production area or quantity under the practice (where

known), changes in the production area or quantity under the practice that have occurred over the

last 10 years (strongly increasing (2), increasing (1), stable (0) decreasing (-1), strongly

decreasing (-2), not known (NK)) and any identified change in biodiversity for food and

agriculture associated with the diversity based practice (strongly increasing (2) increasing (1),

stable (0) decreasing (-1), strongly decreasing (-2), not known (NK)).

126

Table 25: Diversity based practices that involve the enhanced use of biodiversity for food

and agriculture


Diversity based

practices

Percent of

production area or

quantity under the

practice (%)

Change in

production area or

quantity under the

practice

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)

Effect on


and agriculture

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK)

Diversification NA NA NA

Base broadening 61.1% 2 2

Domestication NA NA NA

Maintenance or

conservation of

landscape complexity

NA NA NA

Restoration practices NA NA NA

Management of micro-

organisms

NA NA NA

Polyculture/Aquaponics NA NA NA

Swidden and shifting

cultivation agriculture

NA NA NA

Enriched forests NA NA NA


Diversity based

practices

Percent of

production area or

quantity under the

practice (%)

Change in

production area or

quantity under the

practice

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)

Effect on


and agriculture

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK)

Diversification NK NK NK

Base broadening NK NK NK

127


Diversity based

practices

Percent of

production area or

quantity under the

practice (%)

Change in

production area or

quantity under the

practice

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)

Effect on


and agriculture

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK)

Domestication NK NK NK

Maintenance or

conservation of


NK NK NK

Restoration practices NK NK NK


organisms

NK NK NK

Polyculture/Aquaponics NK NK NK



NK NK NK

Enriched forests NK NK NK

Self-recruiting capture fisheries: Tropics (A 1)

Diversity based

practices

Percent of

production area or

quantity under the

practice (%)

Change in

production area or

quantity under the

practice

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)

Effect on


and agriculture

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK)




Maintenance or

conservation of


NK NK NK

128

Self-recruiting capture fisheries: Tropics (A 1)

Diversity based

practices

Percent of

production area or

quantity under the

practice (%)

Change in

production area or

quantity under the

practice

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)

Effect on


and agriculture

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK)



organisms

NK NK NK




NK NK NK


Fed Aquaculture: Tropics (A 9)

Diversity based

practices

Percent of

production area or

quantity under the

practice (%)

Change in

production area or

quantity under the

practice

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)

Effect on


and agriculture

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK)

Diversification 25 1 NK

Base broadening 0 NA NA

Domestication 10 1 NK

Maintenance or

conservation of


90 0 NK

Restoration practices 0 NA NA


organisms

0 NA NA

Polyculture/Aquaponics 10 1 NK

129

Fed Aquaculture: Tropics (A 9)

Diversity based

practices

Percent of

production area or

quantity under the

practice (%)

Change in

production area or

quantity under the

practice

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)

Effect on


and agriculture

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK)



0 NA NA

Enriched forests 0 NA NA

Non-Fed Aquaculture: Tropics (A 9)

Diversity based

practices

Percent of

production area or

quantity under the

practice (%)

Change in

production area or

quantity under the

practice

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)

Effect on


and agriculture

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK)

Diversification 0 NA NA

Base broadening 0 NA NA

Domestication 0 NA NA

Maintenance or

conservation of


0 NA NA

Restoration practices 0 NA NA


organisms

0 NA NA

Polyculture/Aquaponics 0 NA NA



0 NA NA

Enriched forests 0 NA NA

130

Livestock grassland-based systems (L 1)

Diversity based

practices

Percent of

production area or

quantity under the

practice (%)

Change in

production area or

quantity under the

practice

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)

Effect on


and agriculture

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK)




Maintenance or

conservation of


NK NK NK



organisms

NK NK NK




NK NK NK


Livestock landless systems (L 5)

Diversity based

practices

Percent of

production area or

quantity under the

practice (%)

Change in

production area or

quantity under the

practice

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)

Effect on


and agriculture

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK)




Maintenance or NK NK NK

131

Livestock landless systems (L 5)

Diversity based

practices

Percent of

production area or

quantity under the

practice (%)

Change in

production area or

quantity under the

practice

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)

Effect on


and agriculture

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK)

conservation of




organisms

NK NK NK




NK NK NK


Mixed systems (M 1)

Diversity based

practices

Percent of

production area or

quantity under the

practice (%)

Change in

production area or

quantity under the

practice

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)

Effect on


and agriculture

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK)

Diversification 2 NK 1

Base broadening 0 0 0

Domestication 1 1 1

Maintenance or

conservation of


NA NK 0

Restoration practices NA NK 0

Management of micro- NA 0 0

132

Mixed systems (M 1)

Diversity based

practices

Percent of

production area or

quantity under the

practice (%)

Change in

production area or

quantity under the

practice

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)

Effect on


and agriculture

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK)

organisms

Polyculture/Aquaponics NA 1 1



NA 0 0


Irrigated Crops (Others) (C 5))

Diversity based

practices

Percent of

production area or

quantity under the

practice (%)

Change in

production area or

quantity under the

practice

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)

Effect on


and agriculture

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK)

Diversification 5 0 1


Domestication 1 1 1

Maintenance or

conservation of


NA 0 0

Restoration practices NK 0 0


organisms

NK 0 0

Polyculture/Aquaponics 0.2 1 1



0 0 0

133

Irrigated Crops (Others) (C 5))

Diversity based

practices

Percent of

production area or

quantity under the

practice (%)

Change in

production area or

quantity under the

practice

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)

Effect on


and agriculture

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK)


Rainfed Crops (C 9)

Diversity based

practices

Percent of

production area or

quantity under the

practice (%)

Change in

production area or

quantity under the

practice

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)

Effect on


and agriculture

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK)



Domestication 0 0 0

Maintenance or

conservation of


0 0 0

Restoration practices NK NK 0


organisms

NK NK 0

Polyculture/Aquaponics NK NK 0



NK NK NK


Swamp Systems (Aroids): Tropics (O 1)

134

Diversity based

practices

Percent of

production area or

quantity under the

practice (%)

Change in

production area or

quantity under the

practice

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK, NA)

Effect on


and agriculture

(2,1,0,-1,-2, NK)



Domestication 0 0 0

Maintenance or

conservation of


100 0 1

Restoration practices 0 0 0


organisms

NK NK 1

Polyculture/Aquaponics NA NA NA



NA NA NA


Briefly summarize the information that exists on the effect of the diversity based practice on

different components of biodiversity for food and agriculture. Indicate where practices used in a

production system are affecting biodiversity for food and agriculture in another production

system. Include any available references or reports to support the evaluation given above.

Irrigated crops (rice): Tropics C1

There are approximately eighteen (18) types of rice varieties sown in Guyana (Extension

Department 2016). There were six (6) recently released varieties from 2009 – 2016. These

varieties currently occupy 61.1% of the total acreage of rice sown in Guyana and have a potential

average yield ranging from 5.5 to 7.5 tons / hectare.


135

No data / information available

Self Recruiting Fisheries, Fed Aquaculture, and Non-Fed Aquaculture: Tropics


Irrigated Crops (Other), Rainfed Crops, Mixed Systems, Swamp Systems (Aroids): Tropics

Except for a few exotic improved garden vegetable species cultivated in the three above listed

production systems, the 'other' crop sector comprises a predominance of landrace varieties. Over

the years, very little efforts have been engaged in replacing these farmers' varieties. The effect is

to sustain an 'other' crop sector with an extremely high degree of varietal heterogeneity. This

practice has had some negative implications for marketability of agro-commodities so derived.

Question 54. List and briefly describe any specific programmes or projects that have been

undertaken in the country to support any of the practices listed in Table 24 and Table 25.

Provide information where available on what types of activities were supported, areas and

numbers of farmers, pastoralists, forest dwellers and fisher folk involved, state and outcome with

respect to components of biodiversity for food and agriculture.

Irrigated crops (rice): Tropics C1

Integrated Plant Nutrient Management (IPNM), Integrated Pest Management and Water

Management Practices are the main practices utilized by farmers in the rice sector.

The Extension Department of the GRDB is responsible for developing the capabilities and

capacities of farmers in the areas of best practices, problem solving, management and decision-

making. IPNM, IPM and water management are addressed in various projects planned by the

GRDB.

In 2016, the technology transfer programs included 54 field schools across the rice growing

regions. In addition to the farmers’ field school, other activities include:

• demonstrations on using best practices for high yield production;

• demonstrations on how to effectively control the rice weed, Schoonard Grass

(Echinochloa glaberescens) using both cultural and chemical practices;

136

• demonstrations on the handling and proper use of chemical to control the rice pest, paddy

bugs (Oebalus poecilus);

• integrated red rice management – this combines practices that allows for prevention,

cultural practices, mechanical practices, chemical control and water management

practices that favours the minimal growth of the weed.

Extension Officers are also mandated to inspect the fields of farmers, address any issues and

provide recommendations for improved production. In 2015, the target acreage to complete was

20,000 ac however, only 16,445 were actually inspected. A total of 58 field schools were

established and 597 farmers benefited from trainings provided by Extension Officers (GRDB

Extension Department 2015).

Base Broadening

The Plant Breeding Department at the Rice Research Station has been continuously striving to

achieve better varieties. Activities of their breeding program include:

• Developing high-yielding varieties (>6.5 t/ha) with tolerance to lodging; stable resistance

to blast; high milling (HRR 55/TRR 70); excellent cooking qualities

• Evolving varieties of different grain types to meet requirements of diverse export

destinations.

• Developing a variety with tolerance to salt.

• Developing aromatic varieties.

• Maintaining genetic purity of commercial varieties and production of sufficient quantity

of seeds of high genetic purity.

• Decentralization of Seed Production (off-station seed production)

• Germplasm Management

The diagram below outlines the schematics of the breeding program at the GRBD’s Research

Station.

137

Figure 9: The Schematic of the Rice Breeding Program at the Rice Research Station.


No data available

Self Recruiting Fisheries, Fed Aquaculture, and Non-Fed Aquaculture: Tropics

At the Satyadeow Sawh Aquaculture Station a hassar breeding project is currently being

conducted so farmers can diversify species available for rearing in a sustainable manner. An

aquaponics model is on display to encourage the take up of the system. Through extension work,

farmers are advised to use best aquaculture practices.

138

4.2 SUSTAINABLE USE OF BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Sustainable use of biodiversity for food and agriculture ensures its utilization in ways that do not

compromise its continuing availability and its use by future generations. Sector reports will

provide information on sustainable use of the different sector genetic resources. Here the focus is

therefore on associated biodiversity and on wild foods.

Question 55. What are the major practices in your country that negatively impact associated

biodiversity and/or wild foods? Answers can be provided in Table 26 where examples of general

types of practices are listed.

Table 26: Major practices that negatively impact associated biodiversity and/or wild foods

in the country

Types of Practices

Major

Practice

(Y/N)

Description Reference

Over-use of artificial

fertilizers or external

inputs

Y

In Guyana, rice is dependent solely on the

use of inorganic fertilizers to carry through

the crop. GRDB’s Rice Research Station

has established the correct rate and time of

application; however, this is not utilized by

most farmers.

GRDB,

Agronomist

Over-use of

chemical control

mechanisms (e.g.

disease control

agents, pesticides,

herbicides,

veterinary drugs,

etc.)

Y

Not a general practice; although caution is

advocated in irrigated systems for

commercial garden vegetable production.

For irrigated rice, the overuse of chemicals

for the control of weeds, insect pests and

disease is prevalent throughout the rice

growing regions despite efforts to

Sector

reports for

PGRFA

GRDB

Pathologist

139

Types of Practices

Major

Practice

(Y/N)


implement IPM and other practices that

would contribute to sustainable agriculture.

&

Entomologist

s

Inappropriate water

management Y

Insufficient supplies during dry periods in

irrigated systems is only a recent issue.

Inappropriate water management is

observed when dry weather conditions

persist for long periods. Due to poor water

management farmers are unable to irrigate

crops and this result in stunted growth or

sometimes loss of the entire crop.

GRDB,

Agronomist

For Non- Fed Aquaculture production

system which is predominantly done in

region 6, farmers would 'break' the sea-

defense during the tides allowing the flow

of saltwater to enter their ponds.

Practices leading to

soil and water

degradation

N No documentation reported on this issue

Over-grazing N

Uncontrolled forest

clearing N

Fishing in protected

areas N

Overharvesting Y

In a unique case exemplified by commercial

foraging of manicole palm (Prestoea

tenuiramosa, wild plant species used for

Country

Report on

State of

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Types of Practices

Major

Practice

(Y/N)


foods) in riparian communities, it is

believed that the species is being over-

harvested.

PGRFA;

Guyana

Forestry

Commission

Sectoral

reports.

Other: illegal

unreported

unregulated(IUU)pra

ctices

Y

Illegal Unreported Unregulated fishing

practices takes place when vessels and

harvesters operate in violation of the laws of

fisheries. This can apply to fisheries that are

under the jurisdiction of a coastal state or to

high seas fisheries regulated by regional

fisheries management organizations

(RFMO).

FAO

Please comment on the reasons why the practices are in use and discuss if trade-offs are

involved.

Irrigated Crop (rice): Tropics

Over-use of artificial fertilizers or external inputs and chemical control mechanisms have been

practiced by many rice farmers in Guyana. While some of them may be unaware of the correct

uses and recommendations; others have not accepted the scientific justification behind these

recommendations. For example; some rice farmers believe that the more insecticide they add to

the sprayer the better control of the pest/s they will achieve.

Poor water management is also practiced countrywide and its effects can be devastating. The

recent 2015-2016 El Nino severely affected the rice industry; with some farmers losing their

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entire crops. Those areas where there was prudent use of water, farmers were able to salvage

their crop.

Self Recruiting Fisheries, Fed Aquaculture, and Non-Fed Aquaculture: Tropics (A1, A9,

A13)

• Too many fishers chasing too few fish

If fishing “capacity” is the ability of a vessel or fleet of vessels to catch fish, “overcapacity”

means a level of catching power that exceeds what is needed. Currently the fishing industry

has too much capital invested in vessels that it must operate to realize a return. More and

more boats remove more and more fish, not allowing for the reproductive needs of fishes.

Fishes are being caught younger, some being harvested before they can reproduce. Some

commercially targeted fish require only a few years to reach a reproductive age while others

may take more than 30 years. As a result of this, the catch per unit effort (CPUE) has gone

up, meaning more effort is being expended to catch fewer available fish. Therefore, in an era

of overfished fish stocks and substantial excess fishing capacity, IUU fishing is recognized as

a major threat to the long term sustainability of the world’s oceans.

• High and growing demand for seafood

As world populations continue to soar, the demand for seafood, an attainable protein

resource, increases, and fisheries stocks are harvested beyond their ability to sustainable

reproduce. “Fishing down the food chain” is the result. Fish that were previously discarded as

“trash fish” are now fisheries targets. While aquaculture is one potential measure to meeting

high consumer demand and reducing soaring wild harvest levels in the future, the gap

between supply and demand continues to widen.

• Highly profitable

IUU fishing is highly profitable so a strong economic incentive exists to participate. It is

simply more “expensive” to be a responsible fisher in the global market. The complexity of

the fishing industry and the many levels of organization involved leave it vulnerable to the

influence of organized crime and corruption. Fishing vessels may also be used in activities

such as drug or human trafficking.

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For Non-fed aquaculture; farmers in Region 6 have been breaking the sea defense for years

to allow the salt water and the aquatic organisms to come into a pond, where they are grown

out. They then block the broken sea defense. This activity is a high revenue generator and

involves a large number of farmers.



Except for the apparent case of the wild manicole palm that is commercially foraged, the

applicable listed practices are not generally feasible or encouraged in the country.

Question 56. Briefly describe any actions and countermeasures taken to limit unsustainable use

and/or support sustainable use of associated biodiversity and/or wild foods.

Irrigated Crop (Rice): Tropics (C 1)

The Rice Research Station and the Extension Department of GRDB is working rigorously to

minimize farmers dependence on external inputs especially chemicals and pesticides (refer to

and 54).

Naturally Regenerated Forests: Tropics (F1)


Self Recruiting Fisheries, Fed Aquaculture, and Non-Fed Aquaculture: Tropics (A1, A9,

A13)

• IUU seminar with NGOs.

• Legislation and official document.

• Fort nightly patrol of Guyana EEZ.

• No measures have been taken against Brackish water farmers in region 6 because of the

lack of expertise in developing successful breeding programs of the species

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Question 57. Provide in Table 27 any information available that lack of biodiversity for food and

agriculture is limiting food security and nutrition, and/or rural livelihoods in the different

production systems in your country. Indicate the production systems affected together with any

information on the extent of problem (significant lack (2), some lack (1)), describe the effects on

livelihood, food security and nutrition, and the components of biodiversity for food and

agriculture that are limited. The list of components of biodiversity for food and agriculture given

in Annex 1 should be used where possible.

Guyana is self-sufficient in all basic requirements for food except for wheat, split peas and

potatoes. It can be concluded that there is no lack of biodiversity for food and agriculture

however; there is always scope for improvement.

Table 27: Effect of the lack of biodiversity for food and agriculture on production, food

security and nutrition and livelihood.

Production system

Biodiversity component for which

diversity is lacking

Extent of problem

(2,1)

Effect on food security and

nutrition

Effect on livelihood Reference

NK - - - - -

4.3 THE CONTRIBUTION OF BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE IN

IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY, FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION,

LIVELIHOODS, ECOSYSTEM SERVICES, SUSTAINABILITY, RESILIENCE AND

SUSTAINABLE INTENSIFICATION.

Question 58. Where available, provide information that increasing the amount of biodiversity for

food and agriculture, including associated biodiversity, in production systems in your country

have improved the following:

a) productivity;

b) food security and nutrition;

c) rural livelihoods;

d) ecosystem services;

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e) sustainability;

f) resilience;

g) sustainable intensification.

Guyana is food self-assured and food secured. Production systems also ensure that there is a

sufficient quantity of nutritious plant-based foods that is readily available and easily accessible at

an affordable cost. For the 'other' crop sector, productivity is an issue in the three main

production systems. With periodic infusions of exotic improved varieties of garden vegetables,

there may have been some improvements in productivity for this group of crops. Generally,

because of the preponderance of farmers' land race varieties, crop productivity is generally low

in Guyana; an artifact of the lack of a concerted effort in base-broadening and crop improvement

interventions. For this reason, sustainable intensification of agricultural production remains

virtually untested. The debilitating consequence is under-exploitation of the productive potential

of the three main cultivation systems to bring enhanced economic benefits to the country's toiling

and mostly rural farming communities. Nevertheless, our traditional systems of cultivating

farmers' varieties ensure that ecological co-adaptations (systems and varietal diversity) have

combined to ensure a satisfactory level of food security and sustainability of agro-ecological

systems. These ecosystem services are best exemplified through the dynamic sustainability of a

pool of homestead PGRFA diversity. Guyana's so-called homestead in situ gene banks house

more than 80% of the diversity used for PGRFA, and its dynamic conservation is in no small

way attributable to our women folks. In general, the agricultural landscape of Guyana is not only

home to more than 90% of its population but also has a built in cultural and ecological resilience

interactive mechanism without which life would be unbearable. The traditional customs in

hinterland subsistence cassava farming communities is singly responsible the dynamic

conservation for an extremely wide diversity of an unwieldy mix of landrace varieties;

incomparable to any other crop in Guyana. While the ecosystem services in coastal production

systems are supportive of an array of migratory birds and terrestrial fauna, food chains

implicated in pest control for vegetable cultivation, resident amphibians and reptiles, visiting

forest predators, an assortment medicinal wild plants known for their nutracutical properties,

crop wild relatives (some regarded as weeds). The cooling 'greeness' of the agricultural

landscape in which Guyanese dwell is often taken for granted.

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Question 59. Do you have information on the proportion of the population in your country that

uses wild food on a regular basis for food and nutrition? If available, include information such

as the proportion of the diet that is collected from the wild in normal time and in times of

scarcity, drought, natural and human-made disaster, and the degree to which wild foods are

used (for subsistence, supplementing, nutrition, other).

Provide explanations and additional information as regards the gender differences in the patterns

of use, management and consumption of wild food, including data disaggregated by sex.

Guyana has no experience in food crises. Foraging for wild foods can actually be a pleasant and

very rewarding hobby; akin to game hunting. Recently, there have been reports of scarcity of

foods derived from the hinterland staple that is cassava. However, the extent to which these short

falls have to complemented with wild-sourced foods is not a solution because foraging for wild

foods is an almost lost custom. Besides, in addition to food, alternative crop-based foraging has

significant economic rewards to the extent that it is a very prevalent economic activity in the

country.

4.4 THE ADOPTION OF ECOSYSTEM APPROACHES

Question 60. Describe in Table 28 the extent to which you consider that ecosystem approaches

have been adopted for the different production systems in your country (widely adopted (2),

partially adopted (1), not adopted (0), not applicable (NA)) and indicate whether ecosystem

approaches are considered of major importance (2), some importance (1), no importance (0),

not applicable (NA). You may also want to describe landscape approaches that have been

adopted in your country.

Table 28: Adoption of and importance assigned to ecosystem approaches in production

systems in the Country

Production systems Ecosystem approach

adopted (name)

Extent of

adoption

(2,1,0,NA)

Importance assigned

to the ecosystem

approach (2,1,0,NA) Code or name

Self-recruiting capture Avoiding over-fishing 2 2

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Production systems Ecosystem approach

Extent of

Importance assigned

fisheries (tropics) A1 Insuring reversibility and

rebuilding 2 2

Broadening stakeholders

participation 1 1

Minimizing fisheries

impact 2 2

Irrigated crops

(other): Tropics

Coastal riparian lowland

river and sea defense

systems

2 2

Rainfed crops:

Tropics

Swidden and shifting and

rotation systems and

integrated crop rotation

1 1

Mixed systems

(livestock, crop,

forest and /or aquatic

and

fisheries): Tropics

Coastal riparian lowland

river and sea defense

systems

2 2

Crops: Swamp

Systems (Aroids):

Tropics

Swamp Empoldering 2 2

Even though attempts are made to adopt ecosystem approaches; no data / information are

available for various production systems.

Question 61. For each production system in which an ecosystem and landscape approach has

been widely adopted describe:

a) The specific actions that have been taken to ensure adoption;

b) Any observed results from adoption;

c) Plans for adoption or for further adoption in new or existing production areas;

d) Lessons learned.

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Rainfed Crops, Irrigated Crops (Other), Mixed Systems, Other Crops: Swamp Systems


Cultivation of irrigated and mixed systems along coastal and near coastal ecologies is impossible

without engineering these ecosystems. Swamp empoldering is an enhanced intervention to retain

water nutrients obtained from livestock (poultry) manure applications and is the standard practice

for swamp-eddo cultivation in the said agro-ecosystem.

Self-recruiting capture fisheries: tropics A1

• Minimizing fisheries impact

The use of TEDs and BRD in fishing operations for the purpose of managing and

minimizing the impact on the structure, productivity, function and biological diversity of

the ecosystem. Related objectives are to conduct fisheries in a manner that (i) does not

threaten by-catch species; (ii) avoids mortality of, or injuries to, endangered, threatened

or protected species; (iii) minimizes the impact of fishing operations on the ecosystem

generally.

• Broadening stakeholders participation

Meetings are kept at regular interval with stakeholders to integrate them with the

management process, in data collection, knowledge-building, option analysis, decision-

making and implementation. The need to deal with fisheries in their ecosystem context

implies an even broader participatory process. This requirement is often combined with

that of decentralizing decision-making at lower levels of administration to better take

account of all sectorial and community interests. It is increasingly invoked together with

the recommendation to decentralize decision-making and to increase direct participation

of stakeholders. It implies the creation of institutions and the development of governance

capacity at lower governance.

• Avoiding over-fishing (stock kept at 40% and above)

• Insuring reversibility and rebuilding

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Introduction of the close season, once yearly for seven (7) weeks. During this period the

seabob fisheries is closed to trawling to allow regeneration of the stock. The close season

is prompted by the drastic reduction in catch and also the size of the seabob.

Information is not available for other production systems


Question 62. With respect to the use of management practices or actions that favor or involve the

use of biodiversity for food and agriculture:


• Local communities and resource users do not benefit from mechanisms that provide

them with the know-how they need to manage their environment and resources

sustainably.

• Inadequate information on the biological diversity of environment

• A prevailing public perception that the immediate economic and social value of

supposedly renewable resources outweighs the risk of future ecosystem damage.


• Defining sustainable goals and objectives


• Funding


• The string pro-agriculture policies of government have been helpful as far as they

have guaranteed food self-assurance and national food security.

• Institutional resources have been mostly adequate and farmer-level resources easy to

come by.


• Training and development program for producers

• Financial incentives

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Question 63. With respect to the sustainable use of biodiversity for food and agriculture:


• Despite a heavy reliance on scientific knowledge as the primary source of information in

resource management, many resources are in decline, particularly in fisheries. In trying to

combat this trend, researchers have drawn upon the knowledge of local resource users as

an important supplement to scientific knowledge in designing and implementing

management strategies. The integration of local knowledge with scientific knowledge for

marine species management. However, the integration of local knowledge with scientific

knowledge for marine species management is somewhat problematic due to conflicting

data types. Small scale traditional fisheries are often set in environments where scientific

knowledge is poor and conventional remedies are prohibitively costly. Yet local fishers

often know much about where and when marine animals migrate or aggregate, how they

behave and how fishing and marine environmental conditions have changed over time.

Understanding this knowledge, and how fishers act on it, can contribute very

substantially to marine-resource management, environmental impact assessment and the

location and size of marine protected areas. In developed commercial fisheries, local

knowledge includes elements of the above, but other factors also come into play. Market

constraints and technology changes, for example, can have major influences on fishing

behavior.


• Personnel for research, monitoring, enforcement and effective supervision

• Crop productivity has to increase to make farming more attractive.


• Inter-agency cooperation and information transfer.


• Training and development programs

• Scientific understanding and consensus of stakeholders

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• Financial incentives for producers implementing

• The country may be short on the technical human resource, but there are enabling

policies institutional resources, and farmers yearning for new technologies to reward their

toiling efforts.

Question 64. With respect to the contribution of biodiversity for food and agriculture to

improving productivity, food security and nutrition, livelihoods, ecosystem services,

sustainability, resilience and sustainable intensification:





Guyana’s gene pool of PGRFA diversity has been functionally good in so far that it has given

Guyanese food self-assurance and contributed to the country status as a food-secured nation.

However, the country needs to move to the next level of exploiting the economic potential. There

is need to revisit, especially, the currently huge gap created by the virtual absence of open-row

field crop production. Improved horticultural crop varieties are also easy to come by. In recent

years researchers have been challenged with serious episodes of pest management, and this is an

area that needs to be addressed through technical capacity building.

Question 65. With respect to the adoption of ecosystem approaches:


• No work done on the benefits of adopting an ecosystem approach in the various

production systems.

• Studies should be carried out on the producers’ acceptability of ecosystem

approaches and factors affecting their ability to adopt them.



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• Funding


• More focus should be place on ecological studies

• There are no policies, action plans or strategies for the adoption of an ecosystem

approach in production systems


• Development of policies that allow for sustainable agriculture by utilizing

ecosystem approaches.

The ecological challenges of low-lying coastal agriculture are well known. Guyanese have an

inseparable co-existence with agriculture landscapes. If our industrial agriculture base were to

move away from an imminent coastal hazard so too must be its people. Moving Guyanese people

into an unproven agricultural landscape has formidable deterrents that are not only

infrastructural.

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CHAPTER 5:

THE STATE OF INTERVENTIONS ON CONSERVATION AND USE OF

BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

153

5.1 NATIONAL POLICIES, PROGRAMMES AND ENABLING FRAMEWORKS THAT

SUPPORT OR INFLUENCE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF

BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE AND THE PROVISION OF

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

Question 66. Identify and describe the main policies, programmes and enabling frameworks that

support or specifically address the objectives below, briefly describing the policies, programmes

or enabling frameworks listed and provide any available information on the extent of

implementation or of lessons learned. For each objective, list up to 10 major policies,

programmes and enabling frameworks.

a) Support the integrated conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity for food and

agriculture across sectors28;

b) Support the conservation and sustainable use of associated biodiversity;

c) Address food security and nutrition with explicit reference to biodiversity for food and

agriculture, associated biodiversity and/or wild foods;

d) Address the maintenance of ecosystem services with explicit reference to biodiversity for

food and, associated biodiversity and/or wild foods;

e) Improve resilience and sustainability of production systems with explicit reference to

biodiversity for food and agriculture, associated biodiversity and/or wild foods;

f) Support farmers, pastoralists, forest dwellers and fisher folk to adopt and maintain

practices that strengthen the conservation and use of biodiversity for food and

agriculture.

In Guyana, the main policies that support the above objectives can be categorized at an

international, regional and national level. There are also specific policies for the various

agricultural sectors that address the above objectives.

International Convention

Guyana is a signatory to a number of international and regional conventions and protocols aimed

at addressing environmental protection and the conservation of biodiversity. The biodiversity

related conventions include:

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• United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (signatory in 1992, ratified in 1994).

• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

(ratified in 1977)

• International Plant Protection Convention.

• Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1975)

• Guyana acceded to the Cartagena Protocol in June 2008 and prepared the National

Biosafety Framework. This framework outlines Guyana’s policy, institutional and

implementations plans for addressing biosafety, biosecurity and biotechnology.

• Guyana has acceded to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair

and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS) to ensure

measures are in place for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the

utilization of the country’s genetic resources.

• Cartagena Convention 1983 and SPAW Protocol. Guyana acceded to this Convention and

its three Protocols in 2010. The Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and

Wildlife (SPAW) in the Wider Caribbean Region relate directly to biodiversity

management and protection and Guyana has been participating in the activities under this

Protocol.

Guyana is also signatory and has acceded to the following conventions aimed at environmental

protection and sustainable management of natural resources:

• Kyoto Protocol

• Rio Declaration on Environment and Development

• Montreal Protocol (Guyana’s obligation to phase out Ozone Depleting Substances)

• United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (ratified in 1993)

• United Nations Convention on Climate Change (signed in June, 1992, and ratified on

September 24, 1997)

• United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (signed in December 1996 and

ratified in September 24, 1997).

• International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution (MARPOL 73/78) (acceded to

on December 10 1997.

• International Plant Protection Convention (adopted in August 1970)

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• Vienna Convention on the Protection of the Ozone Layer.

• Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movement of Hazardous Waste and

their Disposal (acceded to in 2001).

• Guyana participates in the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands; however, it is yet to become

a signatory

Regional

Within the Caribbean and Latin America, Guyana is a member or official signatory to the

following:

• Caribbean Planning for the Adaptation to Climate Change

• Mainstreaming Adaptation for Climate Change

• Caribbean Regional Environmental Programme

• Caribbean Environmental Programme and its Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife

Programme.

• Latin American Network for Technical Cooperation in National Parks, Protected Areas

and Wildlife

• Treaty for Amazon Cooperation

• Guiana Shield Initiative

National Policies

Guyana developed a number of national policies related to biodiversity conservation and

management, mostly within the framework of natural resources management.

• National Development Strategy (2001-20105)

• Low Carbon Development Strategy (updated in 2013)

• National Competitiveness Strategy

• Guyana Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, revised in 2011

• National Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Guyana’s Biodiversity

(developed in 1997)

• National Protected Areas Strategy

• National Forest Policy (revised in 2011)

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• National Land Use Policy (prepared in Draft)

• Policy on Access to Genetic Resources and Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits

Arising from their Utilization (developed in 2007)

• Biotechnology, Biosafety and Biosecurity Policy (developed in 2007)

• Food and Nutrition Strategy (2010 – 2020)

• Guyana Power Sector Policy and Implementation Strategy (2010 – 2014)

67. List up to 10 major policies, programmes and enabling frameworks in your country that

enhance the application of an ecosystem approach or a landscape approach and that contain an

explicit reference to biodiversity for food and agriculture, associated biodiversity and/or wild

foods. Include a brief description of the policies, programmes and enabling frameworks together

with any information on the extent of their application (production system and area) and

observed effect. Where possible provide examples of best practices or lessons learned.

Briefly describe policies, programmes and enabling frameworks that meet the objectives

described in questions 68 and 69. Consider the following discussion points in your responses,

where information is available:

a) extent of implementation;

b) production systems involved;

c) the extent of use of biodiversity for agriculture;

d) lessons learned;

e) evidence of indicators of vulnerability that have decreased as a result of these efforts;

f) describe the value added of mainstreaming gender in programmes, policies and enabling

frameworks, providing sex-disaggregated data where possible.

Guyana policies, programmes and enabling frameworks that enhance the application of an

ecosystem approach or a landscape approach are listed below:

• Guyana Rice Development Board Act

• Pesticide and Toxic Chemical Control Act 2000

• The Fisheries Act

• The Maritime Boundaries Act

• The Environmental Protection Act

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• The Environmental Protection Wildlife Management Conservation Regulation

• The Forests Act

• The Plant Protection Act

• Code of Conduct For Captains: This is a step towards efficiently managing fishing

operations through advocating the employment of sustainable fishing practices.

• Establishment of Marne protected areas e.g. Shell Beach: Such areas serve as a reservoir

for the preservation of species richness especially those indigenous to Guyana.

Question 68. Describe up to 10 major policies, programmes and enabling frameworks in your

country that embed the use of biodiversity for food and agriculture, including its different

components, into disaster management and response.

• The Disaster Risk Management Plan for the Agricultural Sector

• National Integrated Disaster Risk Management Plan And Implementation Strategy For

Guyana

• Multi-Hazard Disaster Preparedness & Response Plan

• Climate Change Action Plan

Question 69. Describe up to 10 major policies, programmes and enabling frameworks in your

country that embed the use of biodiversity for food and agriculture, including its different

components, into climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies and plans (NAPAs, NAPs,

NAMAs, etc.31).

• Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) – LCDS seeks to enable a development

pathway for Guyana which balances economic development and sustainability. It aims to

transition the country towards a low deforestation, low carbon, and climate resilient

economy. The LCDS also examines how Guyana can maintain the forests while receiving

payments for the services that the forest provide in the fight against climate change

• Guyana Climate Change Action Plan - In the action plan some of the adoption options

and response strategies for the extreme weather conditions brought about by climate

change are: carry our survey to identify areas where losses can be tolerated, spread or

shared; promote changing use or activity in most vulnerable areas, if necessary;

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substitution of crops - carry out research to identify suitable crops that will withstand the

effects of climate change such as increased temperature, salinity, flooding, especially on

the coast; carry out research to identify suitable inland and interior areas for promotion of

large-scale agriculture in the medium to long term due to the seriousness of the impacts

of sea-level rise on the coast; improvements in farm level management and productivity;

pest control for crops; crops grown on the coastal region to be examined for cultivation in

regions away from this impact zone.

• United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCC) – Guyana signed the UNFCC

on 13 June 1992 and ratified the Convention on August 29, 1994 (EPA 2005). In 1997,

participating governments adopted the Kyoto Protocol. The objective of the Convention

is to stabilize atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases at a level that would

prevent “dangerous” anthropogenic (human-induced) interference with the climate

system (UN 1992). It also directs that such a level should be achieved within a time-

frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that

food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a

sustainable manner (UN 1992). Guyana’s main obligations under the Convention are:

o Establish national inventories of sources of greenhouse gas emissions and

removals by sinks (e.g., carbon storage in forests);

o Implement national and participate in regional programmes to adapt to climate

change (reduce its impacts);

o Cooperate in the development and transfer of technology;

o Enhance sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases;

o Take climate change into account in social, economic and environmental policies

and actions;

o Co-operate in research, information exchange, education, training and public

awareness;

o Promote the widest possible participation in implementation of

adaptation/mitigation (EPA 2005).

• National Adaptation Strategy – The goal of this Strategy is to more effectively reduce the

risks posed by climate change and position the agricultural sector to adapt through

technical innovation and diversification to increase its competitiveness and sustainability

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by 2018 (Development Policy and Management Consultants 2009). The objectives of the

Strategy are:

o To enhance the capacity within the agricultural sector to adapt to climate change

and position this Strategy to foster a nationally consistent policy framework.

o To build resilience and adaptive capacity within the sector.

o To assist the Government of Guyana in providing primary producers with a policy

framework that embraces research and development and promotes climate change

adaptation techniques in agriculture.

o To build greater awareness about adaptive techniques (Development Policy and

Management Consultants 2009).

The National Adaptation Strategy focuses on five areas:

o Capacity Enhancement (both technical and institutional),

o Infrastructure Management,

o Policy and Legislation,

o Research and Development, and

o Awareness and communication (Development Policy and Management

Consultants 2009).

Question 70. What arrangements are in place or foreseen in your country that help to ensure

that the conservation of biodiversity for food and agriculture is taken into account in national

planning and policy development of sectors other than agriculture (e.g. NBSAPs or

infrastructure development such as transport or energy)?

• The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan – This strategy and action plan sets

out the vision, roles, duties and obligation of the Government of Guyana and its citizens

the actions to protect, conserve, use sustainably and share equitably the benefits arising

from biodiversity. Its objectives include:

o Improve the status of biodiversity by conserving ecosystems, species and genetic

diversity and by restoring biodiversity and ecosystem services in degraded areas

o Promote the conservation, sustainable use and value of biodiversity into key

productive sectors used for growth, expansion and diversification of the economy.

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o Expand and improve awareness, appreciation and communication on biodiversity

and ecosystems.

o Improve national implementation, monitoring and reporting for Multilateral

Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and other bilateral commitments.

o Create stronger and wider national, regional and international partnerships that

contribute to achieving the goal and objectives of this Plan.

o Consolidate/ harmonise policy, legal, regulatory, and administrative frameworks

that support the sustainable use, protection and management of biodiversity

resources.

o Improve substantially biodiversity monitoring at the national level and within key

productive sectors.

o Strengthen the knowledge base and capacity for conservation, management and

sustainable use of biodiversity.

o Secure adequate resources from national, regional and international sources for

the implementation of the Plan.

Question 71. Has your country identified any obstacles to developing and implementing

legislation that would protect associated biodiversity? List and describe initiatives in Table 29.

Table 29: Obstacles to developing and implementing legislation that would protect

associated biodiversity identified in the country.

Component of associated biodiversity Obstacles to legislation for protection of associated biodiversity

NK NK

Provide a concise description of the obstacles to legislation reported in Table 29 and specify a

course of action proposed to address this, where possible. Where possible provide examples of

best practices or lessons learned.

No data / information is available in Guyana to address this question.

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5.2 POLICIES, PROGRAMMES AND ENABLING FRAMEWORKS GOVERNING

EXCHANGE, ACCESS AND BENEFITS

Question 72. Has your country taken measures with the aim of ensuring that access to its genetic

resources shall be subject to its prior informed consent (PIC) and that benefits arising from their

utilization shall be shared in a fair and equitable manner? If yes, identify for which resources

and for which uses (e.g. to conduct research and development on the genetic and/ or biochemical

composition of the genetic resource) prior informed consent has to be obtained and benefits have

to be shared. Indicate in Table 30 for the different categories (and possibly uses) of associated

biodiversity, if prior informed consent has to be obtained and benefits have to be shared (Y: yes,

N: no).

National Biodiversity Action Plan

The overall goal of Guyana’s first National Biodiversity Action Plan (1999-2004) was “to

promote and achieve the conservation of Guyana’s biodiversity, to use its components in a

sustainable way, and to encourage the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use

of Guyana’s biodiversity”.

Nagoya Protocol

The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of

Benefits arising from their Utilization is a multilateral environmental agreement adopted under

the auspices of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). In April 2014 Guyana acceded to

the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing. The objective of the Nagoya Protocol is for

the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge

to be shared fairly and equitably with the providers and holders of said resources and knowledge,

so as to contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

National Policy On Access To Genetic Resources And The Fair And Equitable Sharing Of

Benefits Arising From Their Utilization

This policy examines Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) within the context of Guyana and the

CBD, defines the mandates and responsibilities of national authorities to implement the ABS

Policy; the need for free and prior informed consent, mutually agreed terms, and the sharing of

benefits; intellectual property rights; genetic resources and the participation of associated

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stakeholders. This national policy will inform the proposed Regulations on the access and benefit

sharing process, including aspects as:

• Obligation for users to seek free and prior informed consent of providers and /or owners;

• Identification of the basic requirements for mutually agreed terms;

• Definition of the main role and responsibilities of users and providers/owners;

• Importance of the involvement of stakeholders; and

• Institutional arrangements for monitoring compliance.

Question 73. Has your country taken measures with the aim of ensuring that the prior informed

consent or approval and involvement of indigenous and local communities is obtained for access

to genetic resources and that benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources that are

held by indigenous and local communities, are shared in a fair and equitable way with the

communities concerned, based on mutually agreed terms? If yes, provide a description of the

measures and where possible, examples of best practices or lessons learned.

National Policy On Access To Genetic Resources And The Fair And Equitable Sharing Of

Benefits Arising From Their Utilization

The ABS policy aims to encourage the equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the

utilization of knowledge, innovations and practices of Amerindian and local communities

embodying traditional lifestyles that are relevant for conservation and sustainable use of

biological diversity. One of the specific objectives of the policy as it relates to indigenous

communities is to:

• Facilitate access on the basis of free and prior informed consent on mutually agreed

terms, with respect to national sovereignty and the rights of citizens, with particular

regard to the genetic resources and knowledge held by Amerindian and local

communities.

The Amerindian Act 2006

The Amerindian Act states that upon conducting any scientific, anthropological, or

archaeological research or study which relates to biological diversity, the environment or natural

resources in Amerindian communities, person/s must apply and obtain permission form the

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Village Council and the Minister of Amerindian Affairs. The Act also states that all findings

must be provided to the Village Council and The Minister and if person/s wish to make use of

the material derived from their research or study they must also seek permission from not only

the Amerindian Village Council and the Minister of Amerindian Affairs but also the Minister of

Culture and the Environmental Protection Agency.

5.3 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

Question 74. List and describe any linkages between sector information systems on biodiversity

for food and agriculture at national level. Where possible provide examples of best practices or

lessons learned.

The National Information Sharing Mechanism (NISM) is a network of institutions in Guyana

associated with the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and

agriculture (PGRFA) (Paul 2012). One of the main objectives of NISM is to document in a

systematic way, the information on activities related to the implementation of the 20 priority

areas of the Global Plan of Action (GPA) for the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA

(Paul 2012). The overall goal is to share information related to plant genetic resources to

facilitate the implementation of the GPA in Guyana (Paul 2012).

Question 75. Has your country established national information systems on associated

biodiversity

There is no national information system on associated biodiversity in Guyana.

Question 76. Has your country established information systems intended to support maintenance

of traditional knowledge on biodiversity for food and agriculture, including associated

biodiversity? If yes, describe these and include information where available on socio-economic,

policy and collective action aspects.

Data/information is not available to answer this question.

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5.4 STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION AND ONGOING ACTIVITIES THAT

SUPPORT MAINTENANCE OF BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Question 77. List the most important stakeholder groups, including groups or associations of

farmers, forest dwellers, fisher folk and pastoralists, NGOs or other civil society organizations

active in the conservation of biodiversity for food and agriculture. Briefly summarize their scope,

objectives and activities and any outcomes to date. Where possible provide examples of best

practices or lessons learned.

List of some stakeholder groups active in the conservation of biodiversity for food and

agriculture are:

• International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development (IWOKRAMA); has

responsibility for fisheries issues within its area of operation and wildlife.

• World Wildlife Fund; has an interest in the conservation of marine turtles and wildlife.

• Conservation International; has interest in the conservation of marine turtles and wildlife.

• Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society; has an interest in the conservation of turtles.

• National Aquaculture Association of Guyana; facilitates the sustainable development of

aquaculture.

• Guyana Association of Trawler Owners and Seafood Processors (GATOSP).

• Guyana Rice Producers Association (GRPA): The aim of GRPA is to promote and

advance rice farmers in Guyana.

• Guyana Rice Millers and Exporters Development Association: This is a national network

that represents the interests of rice millers and exporters.

• The United Nations for Food and Agricultural Organization.

• Guyana Agricultural Producers’ Association (GAPA). GAPA is a non-

governmental and non-profit entity that serves the needs of non-traditional farmers.

The aim of GAPA is to play a pivotal role in alleviating poverty in the rural areas,

with assistance from various ongoing projects within Guyana.

• Guyana Agricultural and General Workers' Union (GAWU) – represents the interests of

sugarcane farmers/workers.

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Question 78. Describe any incentives or benefits to support activities for the conservation and

sustainable use of biodiversity for food and agriculture or associated biodiversity (such as

payments, provision of inputs, subsidies or other forms of incentives/ benefits). Briefly describe

how these have been applied, to what extent and the stakeholders involved (including provisions

on gender balance if any). Indicate any lessons learned and planned development incentives.

There are no incentives or benefits that support activities for the conservation and sustainable use

of biodiversity for food and agriculture and associated biodiversity in Guyana.

Question 79. List up to 10 major projects (either in progress or completed in the last five years)

that support the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity for food and agriculture,

associated biodiversity and/or wild foods. For each project listed describe the components of

biodiversity, the production system and area covered, and the results, outcomes and lessons

learned. Projects described in sector reports need not be described here.

• The Guyana Mangrove Restoration Project is funded by a partnership between the

Government of Guyana and the European Union. The project is implemented by the

Ministry of Agriculture through the National Agriculture Research & Extension Institute

(NAREI). The objective of the project is to seek the commitment of Guyanese towards

the protection and development of sustainable mangrove forests. The project commenced

activities in February 2010 and is working in the areas of administrative capacity

development, research, community development and capacity building, mangrove

restoration (replanting), monitoring and awareness and education.

• Sweet Potato Production Project is done in collaboration among the University of

Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), Partners of America (Local Chapter), the National

Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and the University of Guyana.

The project will be funded by USDA. It will focus on improving seed quality in order to

boost production and yields. Emphasis will be placed on the development of superior

sweet potato lines as measured by horticultural quality, reduced virus infection and

increased yield and soil-pest resistance. NAREI is currently conducting sweet potato

trials at Mon Repos and Parika. The aim of the trials is to determine whether the use of

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sprinkler irrigation would increase yields. Further, NAREI is also engaged in the

multiplication of different varieties of sweet potatoes.

• Rural Enterprise and Agricultural Development Project (READ). This project is

implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, the project is supported by both loan and

grant financing from The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

READ targets poor rural households in six regions and its overall goal is to improve the

social and economic conditions of these households, particularly for small-scale

producers and vulnerable groups such as women and indigenous peoples. READ targets

farmers who grow non-traditional crops and have up to five acres under cultivation, and

operators of microenterprises and small-scale businesses employing up to five permanent

workers. It also focuses on rural households that are headed by women, households that

include unemployed or underemployed young people, and Amerindian communities.

• The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Flagship Projects:

This is a three-year project which aims at increasing resilience and comprehensive

management of the environmental risks of agricultural production within Guyana and six

other countries within the Caribbean. Projects include

o Productivity and Sustainability of Family Farming for Food Security and the

Rural Economy,

o Inclusion in Agriculture and Rural Areas,

o Integrated Environmental Resilience and Risk Management for Agricultural

Production,

o Competitiveness and Sustainability of Agricultural Chains for Food Security and

Economic Development.

• Sustainable Land Development Project: This project will be implemented by The Guyana

Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) and the United Nations Food and Agricultural

Organisation (UNFAO) and is expected to take effect in January 2017. The project will

be funded through the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), in line with the Low

Carbon Development Strategy, and in keeping with the ideals of a low emissions pathway

of the Green Economy Framework. The project is intended to:

o promote good environmental stewardship in a green economy to achieve a better

quality of life,

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o improve planning, monitoring and evaluation capacities to address land

management needs,

o improve standard of living through sustainable land use and management

practices,

o strengthen monitoring and enforcement capacity and ensure compliance with

sustainable land management practices,

o mainstream policy and implementation by natural resource agencies

o implement sustainable land development and management and monitoring using

indicators for the reduction of land use conflicts and innovative problem solving

initiatives

o to increase land reclamation of degraded public lands and reduce degraded areas

in relation to total land area, and

o improve organizational image through better client-employees relations and

ensure greater coordination and improved service delivery in technical areas.

The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute Projects

• NAREI Solis Related Ongoing Projects: The National Agricultural Research and

Extension Institute’s Soils Department is currently engaged in a series of projects. These

include:

o Crop development

o Fertilizer studies

o Soil Health

o The Use of Mycorrhiza in Substrate Preparation for Crop Production

o The use of Grass Mulch to develop a plough layer on clay raised beds

o Evaluation of Rhizobia Strains

o The effect of rice husk biochar as an amendment on a marginal soil in Guyana

o Mechanization: Operationalization of farming equipment

o All year-round production of cabbage under shaded conditions

o Year-round production of hot pepper under shaded conditions

o The use of the steamer for soil sterilization

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• The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute Projects as it related to fruits,

vegetables and other crops:

o Response of established coconut palms (varieties: dwarf and tall) to fertilizer regimes.

o Evaluation an integrated management system (IMS) for the control of the ant mealy-bug complex of pineapple.

o The effects of micro nutrients on all year production of papaw and cherry. o Evaluation of root cutting method for rapid multiplication of pineapple “seed”

suckers. o Yield and yield component inter-relationships among 12 drought tolerant

accessions of cassava on marginal soils. o Identification and integrated management of vectors responsible for the

transmission of viruses in hot pepper. o Evaluation of agronomic parameters of local and exotic varieties of hot pepper

under the shade house and open field. o Seed purification and multiplication of legume and solanaceous crops.

Guyana Rice Development Board Rice Research Station Projects

• Plant Breeding Projects

o Increase the yield potential of local varieties.

o Evolve varieties of different grain types to meet requirements of diverse export

destinations.

o Maintenance breeding: maintaining the genetic purity of commercial varieties and

production of sufficient quantity of seeds of high genetic purity.

o Decentralize Seed Production – Off Station.

o Develop aromatic varieties.

o Develop a variety with tolerance to salt

• Agronomy Department Projects

o Evaluation of breeding lines for their tolerance to salinity

o Date of Sowing Study

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o Evaluation of different levels and split application of Potassium (K) on yield of

new rice varieties

o Demonstration of optimum management practices for improved yield on new

variety of rice

o Stale seed bed demonstration for weed and red rice management

o A comparative evaluation of the stale seed bed and “grow out” as weed

management options.

o Farm Demonstration of Stale Seed Bed Technique

o National Red Rice Management Program – The objectives of this program is to

assess the infestation levels, genetic diversity and spread of weedy rice in Guyana

and effect on reduction in grain yield, thus researching and implementing sound

management tactics to prevent further spread and reduce infestation levels to give

higher production and quality, hence increasing farmers profitability.

• Projects of the Pathology Department

o Evaluation of fungicides as seed treatment against major rice diseases in Guyana

o Evaluation of the disease severity incidence of Pyricularia grisea; Bipolaris

oryzae; Rhizoctonia solani and other diseases on advance breeding lines and

current varieties.

o Laboratory culture and diagnosis of rice diseases.

o Investigating the Incidence of ‘Black-Tip’ on Grains of GRDB-10

o Monitoring of rice disease in farmers field across the Country

o Training on disease identification/ recognition and management.

o Exploring strategies for the sustainable management of Rice Blast (Pyricularia

grisea) and Sheath Blight (Rhizoctonia solani Kühn) diseases in Guyana”.

• Projects of the Entomology Department

o Studying the population dynamics of insects in the rice ecosystem

o Evaluation of novel insecticides against insect pests of rice under laboratory,

screen house and field conditions

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o Evaluation of advanced rice breeding lines against major insect pests under field

conditions.

o Determining suitable management strategies for snails affecting rice production

o Studying the impact of insect pests of stored paddy and rice in Guyana

o Comprehensive studies on the paddy bug and its management in Guyana

Question 80. List up to 10 major landscape based initiatives to protect or recognize areas of

land and water in your country of particular significance for biodiversity for food and

agriculture.

Data / information are not available.

5.5 COLLABORATION BETWEEN INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS Question 81. Describe existing linkages and collaboration between sectors in national

programmes and policies governing conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity for food

and agriculture. These may include overall strategies and plans developed by your country,

committees or other national bodies which oversee or support collaboration, shared actions,

facilities or resources and specific activities which involve inter-sector collaboration.


Question 82. How are ministries working together to meet Aichi Targets as they may apply to the

conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity for food and agriculture in your country?


Question 83. What future actions have been planned to support your country’s efforts in

addressing Aichi Targets as they may apply to the conservation and sustainable use of

biodiversity for food and agriculture in your country?

The Guyana National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2012 -2020) incorporated the goals

of selected Aichi 2011-2020 targets.

The table below shows some of the strategic objectives, priority actions and targets within the

Guyana National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2012 -2020) that relates to the Aichi

targets.

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Table 30: Strategic Objectives, Priority Actions, Targets and Contribution to Aichi Goals and Targets

Aichi Targets

Strategic Objectives Priority Actions Target

Goal C: Target 11 Goal D: Targets 14 and15

SO1: Improve the status of biodiversity by conserving ecosystems, species and genetic diversity and by restoring biodiversity and ecosystem services in degraded areas.

SO1.1 Establish more legally protected areas. SO1.2 Conduct ecological, management effectiveness, sustainable finance, capacity needs, policy, protected area integration and mainstreaming assessments. SO1.3 Build capacity for planning, establishment and management of protected areas. SO1.4 Develop and implement resource mobilization plan to ensure financial sustainability of protected areas. SO1.5 Conduct evaluations of the effectiveness of protected areas management. SO1.6 Consider benefit-sharing mechanisms with communities surrounding the protected areas. SO1.7 Conduct a mangrove species mapping and inventory. SO1.8 Rehabilitate, restore and protect mangrove belts. SO1.9 Explore new models to combine ecological restoration and the creation of small businesses in mangrove areas. SO1.10 Assess level of degradation in mined out areas. SO1.11 Rehabilitate and restore degraded areas with particular focus on mined out areas. SO1.12 Promote soil health through the prudent utilization of biological, chemical and physical methods in an eco-system agronomic approach. SO1.13 Strengthen Agriculture In house and Field Germplasm Facility (Gene Bank) to FAO Germplasm Standards.

• 17% of terrestrial area for in-situ conservation in legal protection by 2020 effectively managed and financially sustainable.

• Reducing biodiversity loss and showing recovery by 2020.

• By 2020, Protected Areas Trust Fund established, have adequate resources, and fully functioning.

• By 2015, at least three (3) mined-out sites have been duly restored and managed.

• The Germplasm Facility (Gene Bank) is formalized by end of 2015 in accordance with FAO Germplasm Standards and 1st Report published in 2016.

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Goal B: Target 7

SO2: Promote conservation, sustainable use and value of biodiversity into key productive sectors used for growth, expansion and diversification of the economy.

SO2.1 Continue with the process of establishing REDD+ framework. SO2.2 Develop and establish a National Conflict Resolution/ Grievance mechanism for REDD+. SO2.3 Promote integrated tourism, hinterland development and biodiversity conservation strategies, where there is potential for these interests to coincide. SO2.4 Promote the integration of biodiversity concerns into mining. SO2.5 Develop Guidelines for responsible recreational fishing SO2.6 Develop better practices in ornamental fish collection and handling guidelines.

• By 2020 REDD+ framework established and functioning.

• By 2016, a National Conflict Resolution Strategy for REDD+ developed and functional.

• By 2020, biodiversity concerns are integrated into hinterland ecotourism development plans and strategies.

• By 2016, a GEF supported project designed to mainstream biodiversity into mining.

• Guidelines published and at least 2 awareness and training programs conducted per year.

Goal A: Target 1

SO3: Expand and improve awareness, appreciation and

SO3.1 Develop a communication strategy in support of implementation of the revised Plan. SO3.2 Enhance communication and cooperation between relevant sectors and improve public and sectoral understanding of the value of biodiversity. SO3.3 Increase children’s learning outdoors, and increasing schools’ abilities to teach outdoors. SO3.4 Restructure and reorient the Zoological Park representativeness to highly encourage visitors and enhance informal education through interactive and engaging experiences.

• The achievement of the intended impact of the full implementation of the communication strategy.

• By 2020, Coastal Wetlands, Savannahs, Mountain Highlands and Rainforests eco-systems featuring in the Zoological Park.

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Goal B: Target 9 Goal D: Target 16 Goal E: Target 17

SO4: Improve national implementation, monitoring and reporting for Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and other bilateral commitments

SO4.1 Prepare in advance for CBD COP meetings. SO4.2 Submit national reports as required. SO4.3 Revise the NBSAP. SO4.4 Develop indicators for monitoring the implementation of the NBSAP. SO4.5 Establishment of MEAs Committee. SO4.6 Implement the actions related to the ABS Protocol. SO4.7 Participate in the project on the Ratification and Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol in the Countries of the Caribbean. SO4.8 Implement the Policy on Access to Genetic Resources and Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization. SO4.9 Implement the actions related to the Biosafety Protocol. SO4.10 Participate in the Regional Project for Implementing National Biosafety Frameworks in the Caribbean Sub-region. SO4.11 Implement the National Biosafety Framework.

• Fifth national report submitted in 2014.

• By 2014, revised NBSAP completed. • By 2015, indicators developed,

adopted and being used. • By 2015, MEAs Committee

established. • By 2015, a status report on the

implementation of MEAs. • By 2015, finalize the ABS regulations

Goal A: Target 1 Goal E: Target 19

SO5: Create stronger and wider national, regional and international partnerships that contribute to achieving the goal and objectives of this Plan.

SO5.1 Support and encourage schools environment clubs, NGOs and CBOs that carry out biodiversity related initiatives. SO5.2 Develop a biodiversity research interface with the University of Guyana and other academic stakeholders, Conservation International, WWF.

• By 2016, research interface developed with University of Guyana, Conservation International, WWF.

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Goal A: Target 2

SO6: Consolidate/ harmonize policy, legal, regulatory, and administrative frameworks that support the sustainable use, protection and management of biodiversity resources.

SO6.1 Review existing legislation to determine the need for further provisions to conserve/use biodiversity sustainably. SO6.2 Conduct an independent review of the outcomes of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and their role in protecting biodiversity. SO6.3 Develop EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) timber legality assurance system for Guyana. SO6.4 To ensure all developers and operators in mining, forestry and agriculture sector are included in the EPA’s environmental authorization process. SO6.5 Develop and improve national standards to guide environmental compliance.

• By 2020 all timber for export to the EU will be verified legal and granted a FLEGT license.

• By 2020, all developers and operators will secure environmental authorization.

• By 2020, develop standards for air and water quality.

Goal B: Target 5 Goal A: Target 4

SO7: Improve substantially biodiversity monitoring at the national level and within key productive sectors as well as the private sector

SO7.1 Continue to develop the EUFLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA). SO7.2 Continue the development and implementation of Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) system. SO7.3 Develop biodiversity indicators for the NBSAP. SO7.4 Implement better coordinated arrangements to monitor changes in state of biodiversity. SO7.5 Increase in self-monitoring and reporting by operators.

• By 2020, EU-FLEGT VPA in place. • By 2020, MRV system in place and

functioning fully. • Biodiversity indicators adopted by

2015. • By 2020, monitoring reports for large

projects submitted to the EPA

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Goal E: Target 19

SO8: Strengthen the information knowledge base and capacity for conservation, management and sustainable use of biodiversity

SO8.1 Compile and consolidate biodiversity data and information from local, international, web based sources, local and traditional knowledge. SO8.2 Continue forest carbon assessments and monitoring. SO8.3 Establish common data standards to allow sharing of information between different databases. SO8.4 Develop a database system for biodiversity which makes data freely available to users. SO8.5 Identify and define clearly the data and information needed to support decision-making and to meet international commitments to monitor and assess the status of biodiversity.

• Clearing House Mechanism fully functional.

• By 2020, a biodiversity information system established.

• By 2020, an updated and fully functional National Biodiversity Research Information System (NBRIS).

Goal E: Targets 19 and 20

SO9: Secure adequate resources from national, regional and international sources for the implementation of the Plan.

SO9.1 Prepare a resource mobilization plan to include both expertise and financial resources. SO9.2 Increase access to GEF, GSF and other funds designed for biodiversity.

• Resource mobilization plan prepared in 2014.

• By 2015, all of the initial GEF SGP allocation programmed.

• By 2016, at least 2 biodiversity related projects designed and submitted for GEF Council approval.

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Question 84. Is your country involved in the implementation of regional and/or international

initiatives targeting the conservation and sustainable use of associated biodiversity?


5.6 CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

Question 85. What training and extension programmes, or elements of programmes, at all levels,

exist that target the conservation and sustainable use of associated biodiversity?

Almost all agriculture sectors provide extension services to producers. See question 54 for details

on the extension program for rice farmers.

Question 86. What higher education programmes exist that target the conservation and

sustainable use of associated biodiversity genetic resources? List in Table 31 the institutions, as

well as the programmes.

Table 31: Higher education programmes specifically targeting the conservation and

sustainable use of associated biodiversity genetic resources in the country.

Institution Programme Level

Guyana School of

Agriculture

Diploma in Agriculture Science Undergraduate

Diploma in Livestock Production and Management

Undergraduate

Diploma in Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health

Undergraduate

Certificate in Agriculture Undergraduate

Certificate in Forestry Undergraduate

Certificate in Fisheries Studies Undergraduate

University of Guyana

BSc in Agriculture Undergraduate

BSc in Environmental Science Undergraduate

BSc in Biology Undergraduate

BSc in Chemistry Undergraduate

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Institution Programme Level

BSc in Environmental Health Undergraduate

BA in Geography Undergraduate

BSc. in Forestry Undergraduate

MSc in Environmental Management Postgraduate

MSc in Urban Planning and Management Postgraduate

PhD in Biodiversity Postgraduate

MPhil in Biodiversity Postgraduate

5.7 KNOWLEDGE GENERATION AND SCIENCE FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND

SUSTAINABLE USE OF BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Question 87. List up to 10 major institutions within your country directly involved in research on

the conservation and sustainable use of associated biodiversity. Provide a concise description of

the institutions, of their key research programmes and, where possible, provide the number of

active researchers.

Research in agricultural institutions in Guyana is mostly focused on increasing production of

their respective production systems. Few studies carried may indirectly target the conservation

and sustainable use of associated biodiversity. Some of the major institutions that are involved in

research are listed in Table 32.

Table 32: The Research Institutions in Guyana that are involved in Research on Associated

Biodiversity

Research Institutions Production Systems

Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Irrigated Crops (Rice): Tropics (C1)

National Agricultural Research and Extension

Institute (NAREI)

Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA)

Livestock grassland-based systems,

Livestock landless systems, mixed systems:

Tropics (L1, L5, and M1)

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Research Institutions Production Systems

Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Irrigated Crops (Other): Tropics (C5)

Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) Naturally Regenerated Forests: Tropics (F1)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) All existing production systems

University of Guyana All existing production systems

Guyana School of Agriculture All existing production systems


Question 88. With respect to information management, national policies, programmes and

enabling frameworks that support or influence the conservation and sustainable use of

biodiversity for food and agriculture and the provision of ecosystem services, and govern

exchange, access and benefits:


• Research focusing on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity for food and

agriculture and ecosystem services.


• Lack of sufficient funding and trained personnel.


• Poor implementation of present policies timely and effectively

• There are no specific policy on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity for



• Developing policies / strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity

for food and agriculture.

• Promote awareness of the importance of ecosystem services and the conservation and

sustainable use of biodiversity for food and agriculture to policy makers and institutional

leaders so that focus can be placed in these areas in the future.

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Question 89. With respect to stakeholder participation and ongoing activities that support

maintenance of biodiversity for food and agriculture and collaboration between institutions and

organizations:


• The achievement of activities that support the maintenance of biodiversity for food and

agriculture.

• No monitoring on the implementation of action plans that support the maintenance of



• Lack of funding and trained personnel


• Poor cooperation and limited sharing of relevant information across agricultural

institutions and other related governmental agencies.

• No specific policy or planned programs for the involvement of stakeholders in the

maintenance of biodiversity for food and agriculture.


• Develop programs that allows for collaboration of agricultural agencies and other

associated governmental and non-governmental agencies on activities that foster the


• Develop program that allow farmers to be more involved in activities that support the


Question 90. With respect to capacity development:


• The agriculture degree and diploma programs offered at the University of Guyana and

Guyana School of Agriculture do not include any specific training course on the

conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity for food and agriculture.

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• Funding for training.

• The agricultural sector is focused mainly on production and thus there are limited

personnel with the knowledge and expertise on conservation and sustainable use of



• Policies exist for capacity development however, implementation is slow.


• Highlight the lack of skill personnel.

• Incorporate aspects of agricultural biodiversity and ecology into programs offered at the

University of Guyana and the Guyana School of Agriculture.

• Provide training courses for extension officers so that farmers can be more aware.

Question 91. With respect to knowledge generation and science for the management and

sustainable use of biodiversity for food and agriculture:


• Limited or no research done by various agricultural sectors on the management and

sustainable use of biodiversity for food and agriculture.


• Funding for research

• Lack of or no trained personnel in some agricultural institutions


• There are no specific directives that promote research / studies for the management and

sustainable use of biodiversity for food and agriculture.

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• Develop policies that would guide agricultural research institution towards ecological

studies and those relating to effective management and sustainable use of biodiversity for


• Implement existing policies for capacity development

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CHAPTER 6:

FUTURE AGENDAS FOR CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE

OF BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

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6.1 ENHANCING THE CONTRIBUTION OF BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Question 92. Describe planned actions and future priorities to improve the conservation and

sustainable use of biodiversity for food and agriculture with specific reference to enhancing its

contribution to:

a) improving food security and nutrition;

b) improving rural livelihoods;

c) improving productivity;

d) supporting ecosystem function and the provision of ecosystem services;

e) improving the sustainability and resilience of production systems;

f) supporting sustainable intensification.

• The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, the National Strategy for Agriculture

in Guyana 2013 – 2020, Millennium Development Goals, Food and Nutrition Security

Strategy for Guyana; all include planned actions for the conservation and sustainable use

of biodiversity for food and agriculture and will address the provisions listed in a to f

above. Better implementation and monitoring of these actions are required.

• There is a need for additional research and specific policies and legislations for the

conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity for food and agriculture.

6.2 STRENGTHENING THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF

ASSOCIATED BIODIVERSITY AND WILD FOODS

Question 93. Describe planned actions and future priorities to support conservation and

management of the components of associated biodiversity and wild foods including the

development of monitoring programmes and of information systems or databases.

• Develop policies / legislations or planned actions that supports the conservation and

management of associated biodiversity and wild foods as none exists.

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• Make available scientific data that highlights the economic and ecological use of

associated biodiversity and wild foods.

• Establish monitoring systems for associated biodiversity within the respective

agricultural production systems. Correlate the monitoring data with changes in climate

and occurrence of natural / human made disasters.

Question 94. Describe planned actions and future priorities with respect to implementing

ecosystem approaches for the various components of biodiversity for food and agriculture.

• Using an ecosystem approach for managing biodiversity for food and agriculture is a new

concept not only to farmers but also persons working in the agri-sectors. Awareness

programs should be developed for training of personnel in the various sectors. There

should also be programs to allow for the involvement of farmers/producers of the various

production systems in Guyana.

6.3 IMPROVING STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT AND AWARENESS

Question 95. Describe planned actions and future priorities to improve stakeholder awareness,

involvement and collaboration in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity for food

and agriculture. Include a description of the major challenges that will need to be overcome.

• Implement existing policies and action plans related to the conservation and sustainable

use of biodiversity for food and agriculture.

• Improving stakeholder awareness and involvement in the conservation and sustainable

use of biodiversity for food and agriculture should be the concern of all agricultural

sectors and thus should be addressed through the consolidated efforts of all related

institutions and governmental agencies.

• There should be established programs to address conservation and sustainable use

throughout all production systems.

• In the interim, agricultural agencies can incorporate awareness programs into their

routine training, extension and knowledge transfer activities.

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Question 96. Describe planned actions and future priorities to support the role of farmers,

pastoralists, fisher folk, forest dwellers, and other rural men and women dependent on local

ecosystems in the conservation and use of biodiversity for food and agriculture. Replies should

include information on recognizing and enhancing the role of indigenous peoples. Include a

description of the major challenges that will need to be overcome.

• The National Strategy for Agriculture in Guyana 2013 – 2020 supports the development

of rural producers while the National Biodiversity Action Plan supports the development

and protection of the indigenous people, Amerindians. Proper implementation and

monitoring should be executed for all existing plans/strategies/policies.

• Program should allow for extension services and support to be provided to both: small

scale and large-scale farmers / producers.

• Studies should focus on women role in the conservation and use of biodiversity for food

and agriculture should be investigated.

Question 97. Describe planned actions and future priorities to improve recognition of the

contribution of women to the conservation and use of the different components of biodiversity for

food and agriculture, including associated biodiversity. Include a description of the major

challenges that will need to be overcome.

• It is perceived that the agriculture sector in Guyana is dominated by men. Policies should

be developed so as to encourage and allow for the involvement of women in the

conservation and use of biodiversity for food and agriculture. Policies should allow for:

o more female to be employed in the agriculture agencies;

o scholarships to be given to women in the pursuit of a career in agriculture; and

o support in the form of guidance and acknowledgement to the women

farmers/producers.

• Gender studies should be conducted to determine women’s contribution towards the

conservation and use of biodiversity for food and agriculture. Studies should also focus

on how women perception differs from men when managing production systems.

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