Farmers from Baracara and other communities along the Canje Creek in Region Six (East Berbice – Corentyne) have voiced their satisfaction with the swift action taken by the government through the Ministry of Agriculture to develop various farming communities.
Following a visit by President Dr. Irfaan Ali late last year, several major infrastructural works have commenced aimed at improving drainage and irrigation systems within the farming communities.
Today, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha returned to the community to engage farmers and assess some of the ongoing infrastructural works.
While lauding the government’s efforts so far, farmers took the opportunity to raise other concerns with the minister.
One farmer noted that, since the last visit by the Head of State and the minister, many persons began to farm on a larger scale but were not getting the desired results from their farms.
“From the last time the president was here and you were here we have seen improvements and we’re happy for that. We already have the canal digging at the back and farmers are on the go. We said we were going to farm and not plant because there is a difference. Since you left, we started out on a large scale but the rain continued to fall and the water came in so scores of farmers have suffered. We are therefore asking for assistance with fertilizer to improve our cultivation. Another thing we need is soil tests. We tried the 6:25:25 and the 15:15:15. Something is wrong because we are not getting the results we need so we want the soil tests. We also need assistance with planting materials,” the farmer said.
Another farmer noted that he has many heads of sheep but needed assistance with increasing his flock.
“I rear sheep and there are other farmers here who also rear small animals. So, we are asking if you can help us with a serving ram because that is very important. There are also farmers with pigs that need breeding boars,” the farmer explained.
Minister Mustapha told the farmers that the government has made millions of dollars available to develop critical infrastructure as well as the providing breeding stock to assist cattle farmers along the Creek.
“The last time we were here, you asked and we delivered. Today we are here once again and we will work to deliver on what you are requesting now. So far, several projects have commenced. Projects that form part of the commitments made by the President when he was here. A contract for the construction of a number of canals to assist farmers with drainage was awarded and works have commenced.
“Another contract to empolder your cattle savannah was also awarded and those works will commence soon. We divided the area into two parts; one for part for livestock and the other for cattle. A number of canals will be dug along with a number of empoldering. One contract is for $91 million and the other if for $96million,” he explained.
Minister Mustapha also said that, through the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), farmers will soon benefit from breeding stock.
As it relates to issues raised about production, Minister Mustapha said that inputs such as fertilizers, planting materials, and services will be made available by the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI). He told farmers about projects ongoing in other parts of the country that focus on the production of specific crops and encouraged farmers to identify specific crops to plant on a large scale.
The Minister also committed to providing the farming communities with ten bongo pumps and chemicals to assist with managing Acoushi ants along with 500 coconut seedlings, 100 of which were delivered today.
Farmers present also benefited from planting materials, fertilizer, Acoushi ant bait, and chemicals. An additional 400 coconut seedlings will also be distributed to farmers in the coming week.