Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud says the ministry will clear an acre of land for each pineapple farmer who was affected by the recent El Nino weather condition in order to boost pineapple production for export.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release the agriculture and Amerindian Affairs ministry intervened after a shortfall in production of the fruit was noted. Pineapples are usually marketed to Amazon Caribbean Guyana Limited (AMCAR) for export to Europe.

At the meeting, held at Princeville, Mainstay/Whyaka, Persaud said the ministry will clear an acre of land on the premise that the farmers will clear another acre since the current lands are not high yielding. “At discussions at the various levels we have always looked at how we can adapt, prepare and how it is we can make ourselves much more climate resilient. I want this community to be a model as to how we can adjust and adapt to the effects of climate change and I want the solutions and the ideas to come from the community,” he said.

According to GINA, since El Nino the ministry has been working with the community to provide support such as planting materials, and it has set up an orchard with the women’s group to diversify the activities in the area. This initiative will help to promote food security and generating income. Persaud emphasised that the support is progressing and work has started in the community.

He noted too that villagers and the government have to look at making the area climate resilient and suggested that a well be dug to supply water for the land. Persaud also promised to donate a bull and a heifer to the community for breeding purposes. He added that the dung from the cattle can be utilised as organic manure for the pineapple plants. The ministry will also be exploring other means of providing organic chemicals to boost the fertility of the soil.

Toshao of Mainstay/Whyaka and Chairperson of the National Toshao Council Yvonne Pearson said the village council will work closely with the National Agricultural Research Institute to report on the progress of the project. Additionally, Senior Executive Officer and Quality Manager of AMCAR Denys Bourque noted that AMCAR has been partnering with the community since 2003 and it has looked to develop the lives of people in the North West district. He noted that company needs more pineapple to boost its production and agreed with the minister’s intervention to put more lands under cultivation.

Also, Liaison Officer at the Amerindian ministry and Member of Parliament Norman Whittaker said government has been making significant progress in providing social services to Amerindians and has been working to transform Amerindian village economies. He alluded to the fact that in Region One, under the National Hinterland Secure Livelihood Programme pineapple is being cultivated through organic techniques and AMCAR is exploring the possibilities of purchasing from that area.

AMCAR’s Emile Roure also attended the meeting.