More investments being made in Region Two agriculture
- $22M all-weather road commissioned at Airy Hall
Georgetown, GINA, October 21, 2007
More investments continue to be made in advancing agriculture in Region Two, as part of Government’s ongoing programme to ensure that the sector develops and farmers maximise their returns and improve their living standards.
This was further highlighted on October 20 at the commissioning of an all-weather road at Airy Hall, Essequibo Coast, by Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud during his visit to Region Two as part of Agriculture Month 2007.
The road, was constructed a cost of $22M under a sub-project of the Poor Rural Communities Support Project (PRCSSP) through which approximately $107M was spent to improve 5, 900 rods of drainage canals, construct 17 water control structures and five green heart revetment at the Riverstown/Onderneeming Water Users Association (WUA). Construction of the road started in August 2006 and was completed in September 2007.
Minister Persaud pointed out that the project is evidence of Government’s support to farmers by ensuring that the necessary integration of infrastructure is in place to aid and increase production. He pointed out that PRCSSP will be completed this year and urged that beneficiaries place special emphasis on maintenance of the various projects to ensure continued growth.
Under the PRCSSP, 20 sub-projects were carried out in Region Two at various locations to aid further agricultural development. This represents an investment of approximately $1B in the Region.
He announced that negotiations for a similar project are nearing finalization with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), one of the agencies that supported funding of PRCSSP. However, this initiative, unlike the PRCSSP will be implemented across all agricultural areas on the coastland and is estimated to cost about US$6M. This will complement a larger agricultural project being negotiated with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
These investments, Minister Persaud stated, are intended to build the necessary framework that will support farmers.
Regional Chairman Ali Baksh highlighted the impact of the investment made under the PRCSSP through which new lands were opened in the Supenaam Creek and Fear Not/Zorg while storage and drying floors were constructed at Unu Creek and Better Success. Multi-purpose centres were also established in several areas such Maria’s Lodge, Siriki and Johanna Cecelia. These activities, he stated, will contribute to improved production and shore up the activities of various stakeholders involved in agriculture from farmers to fishers, and will further support women development as well.
Afman Ali Nazir, a rice farmer highlighted the importance of the PRCCSP sub-project and in particular the road. Now residents are enjoying a better quality of life and commercial transport is offered into the community, allowing farmers to take their paddy to the mills. Easy access of goods and services into the area is also facilitated, Nazir said.
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