The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) recently launched the state of food and agriculture 2012: Investing in agriculture for a better future.

The report stated that farmers and their decisions must be central to any strategy aimed at improving agricultural investment, since they are the largest investors in any developing country.

It also presents evidence showing how resources can be used more effectively to catalyze investment towards more beneficial outcomes.

Meanwhile, agriculture is among the leading productive sectors in Guyana’s economy, contributing to over 30 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) annually and caters for similar employment.

The report focuses on the accumulation of capital by farmers in agriculture and the investments made by governments to facilitate this accumulation.

Agricultural investment is essential to promoting agricultural growth, reducing poverty and hunger, and promoting environmental sustainability.

Speaking on the report, Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy stated that Guyana has been investing more than eight percent of its earnings into this sector.

The report also stated that governments have a special responsibility to help smallholders overcome their constraints and Dr Ramsammy said his ministry will continue to work with farmers.

The report also stated that the growth of demands over the coming decades will place increasing pressure on the natural resource base.