Root and tuber crops in Guyana

In Guyana, cassava is the most important root crop; root crops occupy the 5th place of importance in national food crop production. The main cropping systems used by the farmers in the different regions of the country are described. More than 1 crop is planted to reduce risks; in the Pomeroon region, cassava is planted as an intercrop with tree crops such as citrus, avocado, and other mixed fruits. The lowest price was paid for cassava. Although the domestic demand for root and tuber crops is primarily as fresh food, cassava is also consumed processed (flour, starch, cassareep, bread). Since 1970 the government of Guyana has restricted the importation of energy-rich agricultural products; therefore, they have been replaced with locally produced root and tuber crops. During this same period, the Accelerated Production Drive program was started; its objective was to promote cassava production and its processing into flour and animal feed. Unfortunately, the program was not successful. The staff of the National Research Institute is listed; research has focused mainly on rice and cassava. The results of research carried out on root crops are briefly presented, and for cassava, it is proposed to continue the evaluation of cv. and to study the different cropping systems. (CIAT)

En Guyana, la yuca es el cultivo de raices mas importante; estos cultivos ocupan el quinto lugar de importancia en el contexto de la produccion nacional. Se describen los principales sistemas de cultivo empleados por los agricultores en las diferentes regiones del pais. Generalmente se siembra mas de un cultivo para minimizar riesgos; en la region de Pomeroon, la yuca se intercala con cultivos arboreos como citricos, aguacate y otros frutales. La yuca es el cultivo de raices menos costoso. Aunque la demanda domestica de los cultivos de raices y tuberculos es principalmente en su forma fresca, la yuca tambien se consume en forma procesada (harina, almidon, casaripo, pan). Desde 1970, el gobierno de Guyana ha restringido las importaciones de productos agricolas ricos en energia; por lo tanto, se han reemplazado con los cultivos de raices y tuberculos producidos localmente. En el mismo periodo, se creo el programa Accelerated Production Drive, cuyo fin era promover la produccion de yuca y su procesamiento en harina y alimentos para animales; desafortunadamente el programa no tuvo exito. Se enumera el personal del National Research Institute, cuyo interes se ha enfocado principalmente en arroz y yuca. Se presentan brevemente los resultados de algunas investigaciones hechas sobre cultivos de raices y para yuca se propone continuar la evaluacion de cv. y estudiar los diferentes sistemas de cultivo. (CIAT)