Minister Persaud says investments growing in Guyana

-in excess of $1.5B in agriculture proposals received thus far

Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud while speaking on investments in commercial agriculture indicated that Guyana currently has vast areas that can be put under productive use and Government has been receiving positive responce with proposals thus far, for the first phase of investment in commercial agriculture, being in excess of $1.5B.

            This disclosure came while addressing scores of Moco-Moco, Region Nine residents during the launch of the first 82 acres of rice under the US$643,000 ($128.6M), Hinterland Rice and Beans project on Thursday.

            “This will see different investors will be coming and getting involved in various aspects of agriculture. We already have a group out of the Caribbean, the Santa Fe Enterprise and they are already investing $156M alone in getting that enterprise,” he said.

            A proposal with the Brazilian rice farmers has been received and is currently being examined.

According to Minister Persaud any investor who comes, must first have a good track record and adhere to Guyana’s rules before they are given permission to do business.

            Lands have already been allocated for the construction of a major rice seed facility in Guyana. This will be used to develop hybrid rice seed to supply the Brazilian market and beyond.

            Minister Persaud said that Caribbean Chemicals is also looking to partner with Brazil in large scale agriculture in this regard and noted that investments are growing in Guyana through stringent measures by Government.

            “Some of the other enterprises that are expanding as a result of the (Tukutu) bridge are developing and have submitted proposals for development of agro-enterprises. As part of our two-pronged approach in developing commercial agriculture, we are advancing that process,” Minister Persaud stressed.

            Government has also been encouraging investors to develop partnerships with local communities so that they are not disadvantaged by their presence. This is to ensure that local companies also receive support from Government so that even growth and prosperity can be achieved.

            This according to the Agriculture Minister, is to transform the village economies and enhance the level of prosperity in the process of moving forward.

            “At the Ministry of Agriculture we are also ramping up our support services. We will be bringing in more vets and trained officers in the villages as we work with you in developing adaptation as we are faced with the effects of climate change,” he said.

             

           

   

Amerindian village economies being boosted  

-Ministers Persaud and Sukhai witness first harvesting of 82 acres of rice in Region 9  

Georgetown, GINA, September 17, 2010

Government continues to work assiduously to encourage the development of Amerindian village economies by implementing initiatives that will ensure food security is maintained in hinterland communities; as well as provide employment for some persons to improve their living conditions.

            Towards this objective, Ministers of Agriculture and Amerindian Affairs, Robert Persaud and Pauline Sukhai respectively, witnessed the first harvesting of the US$643,000 ($128.6M), hinterland rice and beans project.

            The project, which was dedicated to the memory of the late Minister within the Ministry of Education, Dr. Desrey Fox; is aimed at developing savannah agriculture, to increase crop production and to minimize poverty in the villages.

            Minister Persaud while delivering the feature address during the ceremony, held at Moco-Moco village, Region Nine, emphasised the need for residents to commit themselves to the successful continuation of the project, since it is part of the Ministry’s thrust to enhance food security and self-sufficiency within hinterland communities.  

            “This for us is an important objective and it’s an area where our President has been giving a lot of emphasis. For us that is a priority, ensuring that our hinterland communities develop the capacity and capabilities to produce food to not only take care of the communities’ need, but also for us to take it to the next level,” he said.

              He stated that the initiative is to ensure that the food production system, to transform subsistence agriculture to commercial agriculture is developed. This will enable Guyana to become the leading exporter of food to the Caribbean and beyond.

            According to Minister Persaud, the Ministry has previously not been so successful in the hinterland and as such, Government will continue to place a lot of emphasis in ensuring that the transformation takes place.

Challenges

While indicating that hinterland communities possess certain vulnerabilities, Minister Persaud said that through the will and determination of Guyana’s first people, the country has been able to overcome such challenges.

            “That is why our Gov’t has made it clear that based on the resources available, we will invest in these communities to ensure that no community is left behind and that is our motto. We have always emphasised an evenhanded approach to development,” the Minister indicated.

            While mentioning the area’s prospects, the Agriculture Minister said that the Rupununi savannahs hold the greatest potential as it relates to commercialisation of agriculture within hinterland communities, noting that there is no reason why the area cannot succeed as Brazil.

            Minister Persaud also spoke of Guyana’s bilateral agreements with Brazil which saw the signing of five cooperation agreements which will focus on how the country’s resources can be utilised on a commercial level.

            “Our communities do not have the amount of resources and the expertise that are so necessary to bring these lands under commercial scale agriculture. This has seen us investing in different communities and crops looking at different approaches and this is an example where we have been able to engage our partners.”

            The 82 acres of rice will produce approximately 360 tonnes of rice.

             The project since its implementation has been receiving the assistance of the Guyana Rice Development Board, the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI).

            Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai said that the PPP/C Government in its manifesto alluded to the commitment to turn around the agriculture sector, from a position of serious downturn.

            “I am assured by the reports that have been submitted to my Ministry by the sector Ministry, that there is a very good commitment towards the project by the village,” she said.

            While speaking of the village’s history, Minister Sukhai said that the projects should be an inspiration to the graduating students, to put into practice what they have learnt. She also lauded the villagers for the many developments in the area thus far.

            She told the villagers that they are leading by example noting that the initiatives also open up another ‘vista’ for the region since it will enable them to be pioneering the production of food, that can reduce the reliance for food from Georgetown.

            “Gov’t is once more demonstrating that in partnership with the people we can have a very successful livelihood foundation laid for our people. I am sure when the other communities come on board that this region will be able to feed itself adequately and ensure the employment is guaranteed for our people,” she posited.

            The Guyana Rice Development Board, Deputy General Manager, Madanlall Ramraj, while giving an overview of the project, said that it commenced in July 2009 and will be implemented in nine villages in Region Nine.

             The three-year initiative is to improve the livelihood of communities by making them food secure.

Successes

Ramraj said that while there have been some setbacks with wild animals and irrigation the project has thus far, been successful.  

            “From November 2009 to April 2010 we started moving in equipment and supplies into Region Nine and by March 24 we are able to have a tractor with trailer and plough arriving in Lethem.”

            To date, 82 acres of rice have been cultivated which included 32 acres of F710 and 50 acres of BR444 and 10 acres of beans have been planted.

            The 82 acres have been harvested while the beans will be ready for harvesting shortly.

            An $11.8M bond has also been completed which will be used for storing equipment, machines and chemicals coupled with a small drying floor attached to the bond to assist farmers.  

            The initiative was also highly praised by the President of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce, Alfred Ramsaran, Toshao of Moco-Moco, James George and Regional Chairman, Clarindo Lucas.

            Also accompanying Minister Persaud were:- General Manager, GRDB Jagnarine Singh, Director of the National Dairy Development Programme, Dr. Dwight Waldron, Deputy Permanent Secretary (finance), Ministry of Agriculture, Prema Roopnarine, Chief Hydromet Officer, Bhaleka Suelall-Persaud and technical officers from the Ministry.   

            The hinterland rice and beans project is a joint venture between the Governments of Guyana and Spain, through the Spanish Development Agency.