History

The Guyana School of Agriculture was conceived to satisfy a need for a National Agriculture Training Institution in Guyana. This idea was the brainchild of Dr Cheddi Jagan then Premier of Guyana.

The school began on the 9th September, 1963 at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara eleven miles from Georgetown, Guyana. The first enrollment comprised twenty-five male students. Five dwelling houses provided facilities for classrooms, dormitories and cafeteria, in the then Central Agriculture Station (CAS) compound. The first Principal was Mr. Harry Madramootoo, Director of Research of the Guyana Rice Board. The Ministry of Agriculture supplied lecturers on a part-time basis.

View of GSA's Campus

In 1964 the school became a State Corporation and a Board was appointed by the Minister of Agriculture to formulate policies and direct operations.

The objectives of the school were outlined as follows:

Evolving from these objectives was the following:

Mission Statement
"To promote and support agriculture development through education
and training of young men and women interested in an agricultural and Forestry career."

In May, 1965, Mr. Winslow Davidson was appointed the first full-time principal and served in this capacity until 1993 when Mr. Desmond Nicholson succeeded him. After approximately ten years, he was succeeded by first female Principal, Ms. Lynette Cunha, who continues to serve.

Initially, the school offered residential two-year courses, leading to either a Diploma or Certificate in Agriculture. In September, 1994, the school collaborated with the Guyana Forestry Commission to offer a one year residential course for a Certificate in Forestry. In 2003, the school began to offer a Diploma in Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health, and a Diploma in Livestock Production and Management. These programmes are opened to persons from Guyana and the Wider Caribbean.