The drying and storage facilities for corn and soya bean which are currently being constructed at Tacama Landing along the Berbice River will be completed within the next two to three months. This is according to Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha.
During an outreach on Tuesday, Mustapha said the new facilities will provide employment opportunities and primarily boost the nation’s food sector.
Minister Mustapha explained that the government spends almost $60 million to import the two products. This cost is expected to be reduced significantly as they are under cultivation in the intermediate savannahs, with intention for export.
According to the Department of Public Information, some $150 million was set aside in this year’s budget for the construction of a wharf in the area. It will provide easy river access to the land under cultivation, making it more accessible for farmers to transport their produce.
“Just under three years we have seen budgetary allocation to the agriculture sector move from $13 billion to $32 billion. Why have we invested in it? Why have we doubled it? Because we see the need to improve the infrastructure in our country. We see the need to ensure that we prepare the agriculture area in a way that farmers can have it easier to produce,” the minister explained.
He confidently projected that Guyana will be self-sufficient in food production in the next two years.
The trial of 125 acres of corn and soya bean was started by the government in 2021 which eventually reaped major success.
Members of the private sector are also key stakeholders in the monumental cultivation and production of corn and soya bean.
This is in line with the President’s initiative of helping to reduce the food import bill in Guyana and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
