Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha yesterday commissioned two long-reach excavators worth $64m for the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary-Agriculture Development Authority (MMA-ADA).
According to a release from the Ministry of Agriculture, last April the MMA-ADA signed a contract for the procurement of two long-reach excavators with Farm Supplies Limited.
The two long-reach excavators were procured for $64 million and will be used primarily to enhance the drainage and irrigation system in the MMA Scheme.
During the commissioning, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha told those in attendance that since taking office, the government has been making the necessary investments to improve agriculture in the Scheme.
“When I became Minister, this MMA Scheme was in a terrible state. The first representation I made as Minister was to go to Cabinet for emergency funds to do rehabilitation works in this scheme. Canals were blocked, drainage and irrigation structures were dilapidated, and dams were impassable. When I presented that case for the approval of funds, Cabinet gave its no objection because as a government we understand the role this scheme plays in the country’s overall agriculture output,” Mustapha said, according to the press release.
Following that exercise, Mustapha commissioned a tractor, with accompanying implements, which were procured by Hope Coconut Industries Limited (HCI) at a value of $10,441,100.
HCI Ltd signed a contract in May of this year with the General Equipment Guyana Inc for the supply of the tractor and implements.
In relation to this contract, Mustapha said: “This year we’ve allocated $70 million for Hope Estate. This tractor and implements form part of Hope Estate’s capital investments and it will be used to assist farmers in the scheme. We’ll also be establishing a number of coconut nurseries across the country as part of our 2021 work programme”.
