The Aurora land development project, consisting of 5,500 acres of untouched and uncultivated land, from Supenaam Creek to Riverstown was launched last Saturday.
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud while addressing hundreds of residents and farmers of Region Two, at the Aurora Primary School, noted that the land development project closely embraces the diversification strategy and Rural Development Plan, according to a release from the Government Information Agency (GINA).
“After the completion of studies on 5,500 acres of land, looking at the different blocks within the project, the study revealed that activities such as cultivation of rice paddy, cattle rearing, aquaculture and other components of the diversification drive were best suited for the soil type,” Minister Persaud told the gathering.
He disclosed that the total cost of putting in place the required infrastructural needs to make the land accessible to farmers is $1.3B.
This, he noted, is being done to lessen the burden on farmers and investors who will be utilizing the land for agricultural activities.
This initiative, he noted, is in keeping with the request that was made to President Jagdeo in 2009 at a meeting with residents and rice farmers.
The President then took up the request and promised “that the feasibility study will be done in Region Two to find more available land.”
“The staff of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) working closely with the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission immediately embarked on feasibility studies in the region to find available land; today here it is the Aurora land development project,” Minister Persaud said.
In Region Two, he noted, rice cultivation accounts for 70 percent of the agricultural activities, and the expansion of more land will positively impact the diversification drive.
Explaining the need for more food production, Persaud told residents that by 2060 the world population is expected to grow by over 1.5 billion, and that food production will have to be doubled to meet those demands.
In light of this, he explained that countries such as Guyana whose natural wealth is agricultural, will be looked upon to respond to those demands, while providing the opportunities for local farmers to tap into international markets and gain more wealth.
President Jagdeo who was also present at the launching ceremony told residents that $250M will be awarded towards the commencement of the land development scheme.
Also present at the launch ceremony was the PPP/C Presidential candidate Donald Ramotar, Public Service Minister Dr Jennifer Westford, Region Chairman Ali Baksh and other technical staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and its agencies.
