Farmers from Baracara and other communities along the Canje Creek in Region Six say they are satisfied with the government’s response to their concerns but want soil tests and fertilisers to help increase their output.
This was stated in a release yesterday from the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) which also said that several major infrastructural works have commenced aimed at improving drainage and irrigation systems within the above mentioned farming communities.
According to the release, this was a direct result of a visit by President Irfaan Ali late last year to the communities and his commitment to assist them. The Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha did a follow-up visit yesterday to engage farmers and assess some of the ongoing infrastructural works.
One farmer noted that since the last visit by the Head of State and the minister, many persons have begun farming on a larger scale but were not getting the desired harvests.
“From the last time the president was here and you were here we have seen improvements and we’re happy for that. We already have the canal digging at the back and farmers are on the go. We said we were going to farm and not plant because there is a difference. Since you left, we started out on a large scale but the rain continued to fall and the water came in, so scores of farmers have suffered. We are therefore asking for assistance with fertilizer to improve our cultivation. Another thing we need is soil tests. We tried the 6:25:25 and the 15:15:15 [types of fertilisers]. Something is wrong because we are not getting the results we need so we want the soil tests. We also need assistance with planting materials,” the farmer said.
Another farmer lamented that he has many head of sheep but needed assistance with increasing his flock.
“I rear sheep and there are other farmers here who also rear small animals. So, we are asking if you can help us with a serving ram because that is very important. There are also farmers with pigs that need breeding boars.”
In response, Mustapha informed the farmers that the government has made available, millions of dollars to develop critical infrastructure as well as providing breeding stock to assist cattle farmers along the Creek.
He explained, “The last time we were here, you asked and we delivered. Today we are here once again and we will work to deliver on what you are requesting now. So far, several projects have commenced. Projects that form part of the commitments made by the President when he was here. A contract for the construction of a number of canals to assist farmers with drainage was awarded and works have commenced. Another contract to empolder your cattle savannah was also awarded and those works will commence soon. We divided the area into two parts; one for part for livestock and the other for cattle. A number of canals will be dug along with a number of empoldering. One contract is for $91 million and the other if for $96 million.”
Further, the minister said that the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), will be assisting the farmers with breeding stock.
“We also delivered the breeding bulls to assist with genetic materials for cattle farmers. For those rearing sheep and pigs, we’ll make two breeding rams and two breeding boars available to service animals here. We have to craft a livestock plan for this community so GLDA will work with you to craft that plan. We have to see what exists and what is needed to move forward. They will do an analysis and submit a report to say what is needed to develop the livestock sector in the Canje Creek. This will be completed within a month.”
Concerning the production issues, Mustapha assured that inputs such as fertilizers, planting materials, and services will be made available by the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI). He shared with the farmers, ongoing projects in other parts of the country that focus on the production of specific crops and he encouraged farmers to identify specific crops for planting on a large scale.
“I visited countries in the region like Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago that want products from us. Ground provision, citrus, spices, fruits, and vegetable. When I visited Region One, we commenced working with farmers to start large-scale production of ginger so that we can export. I am mentioning this to say, farmers here have to decide on what they want to plant on a large scale so that we can export. So, I will be sending a team from NAREI back here to work with you. They will do the necessary soil tests. I’m advising that you go back to your traditional produce. Things like plantain, corn, and ground provision. If we decide on that, I am committing to providing all of the planting materials free of cost to the farmers.”
The release also stated that the Minister promised to supply the farming communities with ten bongo pumps and chemicals to assist with managing Acoushi ants along with 500 coconut seedlings, 100 of which were delivered yesterday.
Farmers present were given planting materials, fertilizer, Acoushi ant bait, and chemicals and an additional 400 coconut seedlings will also be distributed to them in the coming week, the release added.
