With the aim of creating a self-sustaining food supply, the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) harvested a quantity of vegetables during the week at Mazaruni Prison Farm.
Coordinator of the GPS’s Agricultural Department, SSOP (ag) Kofi David disclosed that a total of 476lbs of boulanger along with 231lbs of bora were harvested.
Meanwhile, Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot said the GPS has embarked on a robust agriculture programme, which provides inmates with the opportunity to become skilled in not only farming, but also in animal husbandry.
Mr. Elliot also noted that the large-scale farming represents the Strategic goal to maximise yields from the Service’s investment in the prison industry.
Farming is being done at the New Amsterdam, Mazaruni, Lusignan and Timehri prisons respectively. Recent efforts are focused on ensuring that farms are utalised to sufficiently supply the needs of the prison population in the coming years.
Further, Mr. Elliot noted that farming for the first quarter of this year was very productive.
Below is a breakdown of items for the first quarter:
Vegetables – boulanger, 2085kg; bora, 78kg; pak choy, 1087kg; and pumpkin, 591kg.
Fruits – papaya, 110kg; passion fruit, 455kg; cherry, 45kg; guava, 78kg, and watermelon, 36kg.
Chicken – 6214kg.
Eggs – 410 Trays.
