President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s visionary ‘Cut Rose’ project, aimed at generating employment opportunities for single parents, has been achieving remarkable success, yielding over $4 million in revenues during the first half of 2023.
As of June 2023, the project’s production has surged, with an impressive 12,067 roses harvested, and it is projected to yield approximately 500 roses each week. Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, shared these encouraging figures during a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI).
Minister Mustapha emphasized how the project is empowering single parents by augmenting their livelihoods. The initiative he said has led to increased local flower cultivation, effectively reducing the need for rose imports.
Initially met with skepticism, the project has proven its worth, becoming a valuable source of support for numerous young, single mothers who can purchase roses at a minimal cost and subsequently sell them for profit. Minister Mustapha proudly acknowledged the positive impact on the lives of these individuals.
The project is being effectively executed by the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. Minister Mustapha expressed his satisfaction with the current progress and highlighted the project’s expansion. Government services, including bouquets and gifts, now benefit from the cut rose project. Additionally, free roses are being provided to various areas, further benefiting single parents in need.
Looking ahead, the project holds great promise, with the agriculture minister foreseeing substantial opportunities for growth and expansion. By the end of 2023, the initiative aims to reduce rose imports by an impressive 30 per cent, a testament to its potential in shaping the future of the floral industry.
