Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud told East Berbice farmers that critical drainage and irrigation works to the tune of $12M will be undertaken to encourage more cultivation.

According to a Ministry of Agriculture press release Persaud made this announcement at a meeting with farmers and residents at Mara, East Bank Berbice last week. Residents at Germania and Lonsdale are also expected to benefit. Equipment has already been deployed to the area to undertake works in new areas that had been cultivated in response to the ‘Grow more food’ campaign.

The minister also said that government has approved $16M to rehabilitate the all-weather access road to complement expanding areas under cultivation. The road will make it easier for farmers to access markets. Farmers also benefited from agriculture supplies included seeds, planting materials and chemicals as well as farming implements.