US$ 1.2M aquaculture ranch commissioned in Berbice

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing sectors, and it is being positioned to reduce marine fishing. As part of its Fisher Folk Day activities, the Agriculture Ministry chose to highlight this aspect of the sector by commissioning the Onverwagt Aqua Ranch in West Berbice. Aquaculture replaces marine fishing and offers healthy, farm grown fishes for consumption.

Complete with a hatchery and 25 acres of irrigation reservoirs; 24 one-acre tilapia ponds, six four-acre shrimp ponds, and a seven acre tailings reservoir, the Onverwagt Aqua Ranch can produce up to 60 tonnes of shrimp and 500 tonnes of tilapia annually. The total cost of the project is US$ 1.2 million, and it is being funded by the government of Guyana, in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development, the Guyana Trade and Investment Support Project, and the British High Commission. Fifty persons are expected to gain employment when the ranch has been completed.

Managing Director of the ranch, Andre Poonai, remarked that construction began in 2009 and several of the ponds have been completed. Culture trials have been done to ascertain growth model and water quality. About 400 pounds of tilapia from the ponds are currently being sold weekly, while value-added marketing is being explored. Poonai said the project is expected to fully realise its potential by 2013.

British High Commissioner Simon Bond said the United Kingdom feels the aquaculture sector in Guyana has great potential, not only as a provider of the local market, but also the export market. The UK’s role mainly is providing a breeding stock of tilapia, and this has benefited many local producers. Bond added that he is pleased at the development he has seen.

He lauded the employment aspect of the project and encouraged workers to be dedicated to making the ranch successful.

USAID Mission Director Carol Horning said that, out of her travels across the world, she has recognised a consistent partnership between her government and the Ministry of Agriculture along with the United Kingdom. She said that although the investments are major, none matters if the people do not have a vision.

“The people involved are those who have a vision, who have a goal, and are willing to follow the steps necessary to achieve that goal.” USAID has been involved in the aquaculture industry for more than six years, and to date has invested more than US$ 1.8 million. She said that although there are many other investments, aquaculture is a positive industry for Guyana. The USAID assists with funding and technical assistance, fingerlings, feed and export test trips overseas to ascertain market needs. She added that her organisation has been working to lower the air freight cost of exports, and has successfully managed to lower same by 47 per cent.

Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, in addressing officials and stakeholders, said that the industry is promising, but it comes with its challenges, especially the safety and security aspect.

Guyana is closer to reaching the peak of the industry, and Persaud said this is made possible by the help and interventions the government of Guyana has received from its various donor agencies. He added that the government does not want complacency to shadow the main threat in the industry, which is the dwindling of marine fisheries resources.

He added that this can be seen by government’s treatment of the various fishing companies operating trawlers.

He added that marine fisheries resources are estimated to dwindle; and with a growing population, food sources will have to be doubled. In this regard, the aquaculture industry has many opportunities for development on a large scale.

Producers are set to receive funding from a Gy$100 million grant set up by government to encourage aquaculture. The programme will be made available in a month’s time, and will be offered on the basis of soft credit.