Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud commissioned a $3 million tarmac for farmers at West Watooka, Linden on Saturday to boost the sale of farm produce.
President Bharrat Jagdeo had committed to providing a place for farmers to market produce during his last visit to the community.
Persaud said the facility is strictly for the sale of farm produce. “This is for the farmers; this is for fresh agricultural produce only. This is an investment for the farmers only and we expect that it is used for that purpose only,” he said. The ministry, through its agricultural diversification programme will be working with small, medium and large scale farmers in the region to boost cultivation.
Region Ten Chairman Mortimer Mingo reiterated that the tarmac was for farmers only, adding that his department would be keeping a close eye on the use of the area. The tarmac is strategically located at the front of the West Watooka area and it is anticipated that farmers would be at an advantage in marketing their produce to wholesale buyers destined for the interior locations and Brazil.
General Manager of the New Guyana Marketing Corporation Nizam Hassan said that a farmers’ market must be central and visible in order to be successful. It should also have a variety of products and produce; be governed by fair rules and regulations, and it must have established days and times for selling.
Hassan also urged the group to establish a strong management committee that allows all farmers to contribute.
Farmer Sherry James said they had faced a number of challenges and it was through the intervention of the late president Cheddi Jagan that the area was designated an agricultural area. This allowed farmers to obtain 50-year leases, lights, canals, hill extensions, roads and training.
“We came a long way. We did not have it easy like other farming areas, having spin offs from mother or father plots. We are the masters of our own plots, we hand-cut huge trees, drained our lands with shovels,” she added.
Farmers said that the facility would be put into immediate use following some additional works set to be done this week with ministry funds.
