Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud held a meeting with Region Six farmers on Friday to keep them abreast with developments pertaining to their region, including a rehabilitation project for which Gy$308 million has been allocated.
This project will pave the way for a total expansion of agriculture in Region Six through the provision of improved drainage and irrigation structures, as government seeks alternative ways to offer assistance to communities.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, the interactive session, which was held at the Crabwood Creek Sports Complex in the Upper Corentyne area of Region Six, also saw the agriculture minister highlighting some of government’s plans for the area during 2011. The meeting commenced with an update on the project, which is currently 85 per cent complete and which the minister credits to the good governance and investments made by government over the years relative to infrastructure.
Persaud pointed out that as the project comes to an end, it is important to have feedback from farmers and residents, since they are the immediate beneficiaries. He also lauded the farmers for their dedication and commitment, noting that, thus far, a significant amount of new and abandoned lands has been brought under cultivation to complement government’s drive in diversifying non-traditional sectors of the economy.
This amounted to in excess of 12,000 acres of new land being brought under cultivation over the last two years. “I wanted to get from you before the project closes what you think might be outstanding; not when the project has been wrapped up we hear this wasn’t done right. And I have asked the project staff as well as the consultants to meet directly with you to get your feedback,” GINA quoted the minister as saying.
Persaud said that since the investment in the project, substantial progress has been recorded thus far, and he noted that a system of maintenance has been developed in order that farmers might continuously benefit; hence there can be improved production and productivity. While alluding to efforts by government in this regard, he also told the residents about the creation of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDU) and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), which will focus on modernising the approach to agricultural production and services.
“We have also gotten, thus far, a perspective of what GuySuCo is doing, since they are also important in this area, too, since there is a lot of cane planting now. We are seeing a mixture of different crops, and I think that will certainly aid the continued growth of the agriculture sector within this particular part of Berbice,” the minister said.
Over the years, the administration has been demanding quality work from contractors, and as such, the reason for the update by the minister was to ensure value for money.
Region Six has recorded significant progress due to the massive investments injected into it. In line with this, a further Gy$700 million is being invested in three projects within Crabwood Creek and Black Bush Polder alone. Of the initial sum, a Gy$120 million rice seed facility, currently being constructed at Number 56 Village, will materialise.
Some of the issues highlighted relate to market opportunities for non-traditional produce; additional koker and sluices to be constructed; irrigation for rice, and cleaning of silted canals at Crabwood Creek. Also present at the meeting were Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Lionel Wordsworth; Director of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Dr Oudho Homenauth; and Regional Chairman, Region Six, Zulfikar Mustapha.
