By Josiah Williams
In a joint effort with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Guyana is spearheading innovative projects to combat land degradation across various regions.
These initiatives aim to promote sustainable land management practices, preserve natural resources, bolster the economy, and tackle challenges posed by climate change.
Dr. Gillian Smith, the FAO Representative to Guyana, emphasized the importance of these endeavors in her World Environment Day message.
Under the Sustainable Land Management Project (SLDM), FAO, in collaboration with the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission, is implementing several programs to enhance soil health, deploy reclamation strategies, and mitigate soil degradation.
Particularly in Regions 4, 7, and 10, where land degradation is pronounced, various interventions have been identified.
These include Biochar and vermicompost application, shade house farming with drip irrigation (earmarked for pilot projects in Regions 4 and 10), and initiatives like Assisted Natural Regeneration, Vetiver Grass Plantation, and Brushwood Check Damn technology in Region 7 to reclaim mined-out areas.
These strategies will be executed in partnership with the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), highlighting a collaborative approach towards addressing land degradation.
Dr. Smith underscored the significance of these steps in safeguarding Guyana’s natural heritage and ensuring a thriving future for generations to come.
World Environment Day, celebrated annually on June 5, will see various organizations across the world observing the occasion.
In Guyana, the Protected Areas Commission is marking the event with an Open Day at the Botanical Gardens, starting from 10 am.