The Ministry of Agriculture and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute have been working with farmers in Region One to develop new crops such as spices, including turmeric, black pepper, ginger and nutmeg, the Government Information Agency said in a release.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and a team of officials last Saturday visited several communities in Region One and its sub-region and held interactive sessions with residents, miners and farmers.
The Agriculture Ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs looking at various agricultural activities to promote and involve Amerindian communities in the national diversification thrust.
“We are looking at a number of activities inclusive of aquaculture, crops and development of the spice industry,” Persaud said.
This initiative, Persaud said, is aimed at making Region One the primary spice provider for local and export markets.
Since the inception of the programme in the region, Persaud said, over 90 tonnes of spices have been harvested, while nine acres of black pepper and turmeric are under cultivation.
“We have been working with 28 farmers in this project and at the moment we are looking at involving more farmers in the cultivation of turmeric and ginger,” Persaud was quoted as saying.
With regard to proving additional support to farmers to tackle pests and diseases, Persaud said that his ministry will be distributing chemicals to farmers.
In addition to that, he said that his ministry is looking at contracting a pest control company to carryout widespread spraying to deal with acoushi ants.
Persaud met residents of Hotoquai, St Anselms, St Dominique and Hobodeia at the Mabaruma Extension office, where he addressed several issues pertinent to the transformation of the agricultural sector, GINA said.
Updating residents on issues relating to the regional administration, Persaud said the government is not satisfied with the functioning of the body.
“We know we had some problems with the road, we know we had some problems with the regional administration here and the pace at which they have been working,” Persaud informed residents.
Responding to the issue of shoddy work done on several roads in the Mabaruma area, he said an investigation will be launched.
Similar interactive sessions were also held in Port Kaituma, where Persaud addressed several issues, including land allocation and interventions to deal with stray animals.
