Minister of Local Govern-ment and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker, yesterday cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Friendship Swine Development Project at Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara under the Canada-funded Caribbean Local Economic Develop-ment (CARILED) initiative.
GINA reported CARILED’s country coordinator, Dhanraj Singh, as saying that the project has four components: construction of the facility, training, start-up assistance for farmers and assistance from both local and Canadian experts who will be aiding with the maintenance.
The project which was established at a cost of US$42,000 saw consultations commencing 13 months ago.
Singh noted that Guyana once exported pork and beef and still has the potential to do so. It was on this basis the project was conceptualized, GINA reported.
The project is a Public-Private, Partnership, and will see community members tapping 15% of the new born stock for approximately three years.
The waste from the pen will be used in a bio-digester to create energy while its nutrients will be used to make duck weed to feed the pigs.
Parsaram Persaud, a beneficiary of the project said that he was very happy to be a part of the initiative. He also pointed out the facility has a capacity to house approximately 240 pigs.
Also present at the ceremony were Local Govern-ment Ministry Deputy Permanent Secretary Abena Moore, Region 4 Chairman, Clement Corlette; and Chairman of Caledonia/Good Success Neighbourhood Council, Dwarka Nauth.
GINA said that the six-year programme, targets the development of business-friendly environments in which micro-small and medium-sized enterprises can flourish.
Under the programme, 29 Local Government personnel were trained in local economic development, GINA said.
