A $43 million Spanish government-funded rice project, which seeks to increase the food self-sufficiency of nine villages in Regions Eight and Nine through rice and beans production is set to be implemented shortly through the Ministry of Agriculture.
A press release from the Agriculture Ministry said that Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud made the revelation during an official outreach to several Region Eight (Potaro/Supuruni) villages on Wednesday.
The release noted that the Potaro/Supuruni farmers will benefit from technical assistance and other support to diversify their agricultural activities with the cultivation of rice and spices. Persaud had visited the communities of Monkey Mountain, Paramakatoi and Kurukabaru, Region Eight as part of his Ministry’s Grow More Food Campaign.
During the outreach, Persaud revealed that the ministry will implement a $43M project for the cultivation of rice in three Amerindian communities namely, Paramakatoi, Kato and Kurukabaru within Region Eight, while similar support will also be extended to Region Nine. As part of the project, farmers will benefit from technical assistance, machinery and other support to initiate rice cultivation, the release said.
The minister also pointed out that the objective of the project is to increase the food self-sufficiency and incomes thus improving the livelihood of communities located in Regions Eight and Nine. The project will receive assistance from the Guyana Rice Development Board, the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI).
This newspaper was told that the Spanish government undertook to fund the project after the minister met Spain’s Ambassador. Other communities where the project is expected to be implemented are Moco Moco, St Ignatius, Quarrie, Aishalton, Karaudarnau and Awarewaunau in Region Nine. The project has a life of three years.
Meanwhile, it was also noted that a spice expert from India, Dr Sashi Kumar, is currently attached to NARI to support the cultivation of spices (nutmeg, black pepper, ginger and turmeric), particularly, in hinterland communities. “The cultivation of such crops is suited to hinterland areas and the crops have a long shelf-life, which is suited to endure transportation logistics,” Persaud was quoted as saying.
The release said that during interactions with farmers and villagers, Persaud also highlighted government’s intervention to cushion the effects of the high cost of food globally. “The Ministry of Agriculture will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs to support farmers’ activities to provide food for themselves and supplying other villages,” it said.
The release also stated that the villages were urged to nominate interested persons/farmers who will be trained by the Ministry of Agriculture as extension agents to service the agricultural needs of the communities.
It further added that in observance of Amerindian Heritage Month, the ministry has planned a series of outreach activities to meet farmers and villagers of hinterland communities to discuss hindrances affecting them and possible solutions with the aim of boosting hinterland agriculture.
This collaborative effort is necessary to ensure adequate food supplies are available to vulnerable communities, the release said.
