The Ministry of Agriculture will be spending $58 million on works at various shrimp ponds in Region Six in order to boost annual production to some 500,000 kilos by the end of the year.
Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, who met with various stakeholders on Saturday at the Albion Sports Complex, stressed, “We are looking to improve shrimp farming in Berbice.” As a result, he explained, he requested that a survey be done in Berbice to determine the number of farmers in the region, “and see what kind of works are needed.”
He has since received this survey and visited the region on Saturday to announce the investment in order to reach the target of 500,000 kg. Presently, the industry produces between 150,000 kg and 200,000 kg annually.
Mustapha said that in order to reach the target several interventions will have to be made by the government. “We are doing this not only to increase your livelihood in terms of income. We are doing this to increase the capacity of the shrimp production in Region Six and at the same time you will also create employment for people.”
According to Mustapha, works will commence sometime this week at the various ponds, which include placing tubes. “That will cost us roughly about $58 million with the number of farmers.”
Sea defences
Meanwhile, Mustapha stressed to those gathered that while these works will be carried out “I want y’all to ensure that we will not compromise any sea defence structure.” He stressed that if anyone or anything is threatening the sea defences that will have to be dealt with.
He explained that the ministry has already received a report from the technical persons “showing where these shrimp farms have to go, so there are several farms in Region Six that they’ve already earmarked to do works, and from next week [this week] these works will commence.”
Mustapha also repeatedly stressed that efforts are being made to develop the shrimp industry, and by extension the aquaculture industry.
“So we will ensure that we have everybody on board but as I said that the aim of government is to develop this industry to ensure that we have more export, we target special markets and at the same time we develop and create more jobs for the people in this region here, because this region has the potential to increase its production,” he added.
