The gathering during the farmers meeting at Kuru Kuru Extension Centre
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, accompanied by technical officers from the Ministry of Agriculture, met with farmers at the Kuru Kuru Extension Centre, Linden-Soesdyke Highway, on Monday, January 10th, to give farmers more details of the recently launched Small Farmers’ Group Finance Facility.
The finance facility is part of a US$6.9 million Rural Enterprise and Agriculture Development (READ) project being implemented by the Agriculture Sector Development Unit (ASDU) of the Agriculture Ministry with direct supervision from the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD).
Minister Persaud said that government will continue to place emphasis on the development of farmers, especially those in Kuru Kuru, since it is believed that there is tremendous potential for improvement, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said. While emphasizing the need for farmers to make full use of government’s support to enhance their capacity, Persaud expressed gratitude that farmers are still enthusiastic about farming, despite constraints faced.
Among the issues raised were the need for assistance with emergency drainage and control of the plague of acoushi ants at Yarrowkabra, and repairs to be done to the Kuru Kuru Access Road; negligence of koker operators at Timehri, and assistance with vaccination for broiler chicks.
In response to the issue of drainage, Minister Persaud said that, although government is spending huge sums, farmers also have to give value for money. In the past, works were contracted to private contractors; but, due to claim that these effected substandard works, farmers were given the opportunity to execute the works.
“I would expect you to cooperate and give us value for money, and to not let this be seen as a money-making enterprise. We expect that, by giving these works to farmers’ groups, we would get quality (work), since you are the beneficiaries,” he said.
A national programme to deal with the plague of acoushi ants will commence shortly, according to Persaud. However, he is of the view that kokers are not properly managed; and, due to the breakdown in communication, farmers are suffering from flooding. “We depend on tidal drainage, and if you don’t open or close a koker door on time, it can lead to flooding. Due to this problem, we decided to take over certain kokers so that they will be managed properly; but this came under criticism by the Region,” he said.
In addition, he urged farmers to monitor kokers to ensure that they are opened and closed on schedule. The issue of chicks being sold on the market when they have not been vaccinated was also addressed, as farmers were complaining of suffering major losses. Minister Persaud assured that, while external markets for the acquisition of chicks are being explored in Trinidad and Suriname, an independent body will be formed to investigate the issue.
Guyana has increased its exports of non-traditional crops to international markets, including Barbados and other Caribbean countries, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. This has continued over the years, with specific emphasis being placed on the quality of produce being traded, as significant strides have been made in the sector to enhance product quality, to boost consumer demand and satisfaction. The project will see farmers benefiting from a repayment plan of between six months and two to three years, depending on their choice.
The Small Farmers Group Finance Facility is to be financed to the tune of Gy$220 million, of which Gy$180 million has been earmarked for the grant, and Gy$42 million for working capital financing.
The READ project, which commenced in 2009 and will conclude in 2014, is focused on pushing government’s diversification strategy, to further develop the non-traditional sectors. Farmers from Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10 are the beneficiaries of this initiative.
