Pakuri also known as St Cuthbert’s Mission is to be made into a model for integrated farms for small villages around the nation and the government will support the expansion of its ongoing agricultural projects.
This announcement was made by President Irfaan Ali during an impromptu visit to Pakuri on Saturday, as the village celebrated its 134th anniversary.
“I will say in another year, this community will be a model community for integrated farms and show how small communities can be an important part in the food production system and can be an important part of the whole ecosystem of producing food not only for themselves,” the President remarked.
The community has embarked on an agricultural project on approximately 12 acres of land where it is constructing an 80×40 shade house that will be used to grow high-value crops. Red beans are also being planted on approximately 10 acres of land.
Ali added that when he visited last year, several commitments were made that have been met; as he inspected ongoing agriculture and infrastructural works. Those commitments are other initiatives that are essential for the further advancement and development of the community. He therefore included another commitment for the government to partner with the village to increase its current red beans production by 25 acres.
The community will be supported by Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) which will provide the market with its produce.
“We are building a country in which all of us will be proud,” Ali stated. “There will be no conversation in the world on energy security without the name Guyana mentioned. There will be no conversation in the world on food security without the name Guyana mentioned. There will be no conversation in the world on climate security without Guyana being mentioned. That is what we are doing. We are providing global leadership. We are providing regional leadership. We are placing Guyana on the global agenda.”
He emphasised that Pakuri is an “integral part of our development agenda” and that no community would be left behind.
“Whether you’re on the highway, whether you’re in the hinterland, the riverine community, you’re in an urban centre, we are going to go there and we are going to meet you. This is my third visit to this community and every single community we are trying to visit…, because we want to hear from the people themselves,” he added.
In addition to the agricultural projects, the government will partner with the community, to train residents and use their skills and labour to construct concrete roads in the community. This project will start within the next two months.
The community’s ICT hub will be connected to the internet within the next four weeks and a team from the Guyana Water Incorporated will return to the community to inspect and improve access to water.
“We are also going to work with you on the development of your tourism sector,” Ali said. “But I believe that on the landing, we can have some eco lodges, where families can come and rent…” The aim is to have the community self-sufficient in food production by the end of next year. To make this a reality, the government will work with the community on the Black Giant project to ensure that all eggs used in the community are produced locally, Ali explained.
The government will also ensure that the community benefits from sporting activities. “One of the other things that we’re going to work with you in is to set up an all-weather surface for sports. We recognize that in the community itself, we have to bring people together and we know that we have climate challenges,” Ali said. “So we’re going to work with you on setting up a hard surface, all-weather hard surface to support sports, like volleyball, basketball and so on.” Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat was also part of the visit.
