Prospects for Quinoa production in Guyana.

Prospects for Quinoa production in Guyana.

Author Ms Zenesia Phillips- Henry
Co-Author Mr. Courtney Bullen
DOI https://ww

Country : Guyana
Subject : Agricultural Science

Keywords : climate change, quinoa, ecological conditions, Guyana economic prospects, Guyana’s physiographic regions.

Abstract

The inevitable phenomenon of climate change has led to environmental changes which can cause interruptions and major declination in agricultural production across the globe. In Guyana, sea level rise, as predicted to occur within the next decade on the Coastal zones, maybe directly accredited to the effects of climate change. The threat of flooding in this area would not only result in the displacement of the population that reside in this zone, but would also affect all major agricultural activities and industries. As a consequence, food supply and GDP will be severely affected. In the event of the aforementioned, it is imperative that alternative areas for large scale agriculture be developed in less flood prone areas. It may also be necessary to establish crops that are resilient and can be utilized as a staple in addition to the main agricultural product ‘rice’.

Quinoa, ‘the mother grain’ is a hardy crop that has characteristics which enables it to thrive under a wide range of ecological conditions. It has been recognized as being gluten free and carries high nutritive value. In addition to agricultural uses, quinoa is used in the pharmaceutical and cosmological industries thus making it a crop of high economic value.

Five physiographic regions have been recognized in Guyana. Among them is the Hilly Sand and Clay Region (White sand Plateau), located along the north east part of the country. This region has available land and water resources, making it an alternative area for the production of Quinoa. Amelioration of the Tiwiwid Sands may be necessary for optimal production of this crop.

This research examines the prospects of cultivating this crop as a potential alternative for rice which may be affected by the influence of Climate change. It also seeks to examine prospective areas for adaptation of large-scale agriculture, creating scope to benefit Guyana’s economy.

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