Some of the participants receive on the spot pointer about the organic pineapple farm from Toshao Pearson. At right, with hat, is CIDA representative in Guyana, Mr. Raymond Drouin, while THAG’s President, Ms Renata Chuck-A-Sang is at forefront. ( photo saved in Graphics as Pearson briefs

These, among other income-generating possibilities, have been identified as critical to the success of any such income-generating venture, within the tri-lake community, stakeholders, facilitators and others attending an agro-tourism accountability seminar at Lake Mainstay Resort, Mainstay, Essequibo, Region Two, Pomeroon/Supenaam on Saturday, were told.

The forum, hosted by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and consistent with its policy of accountability, sought to brief stakeholders and facilitators on the achievements of the tri-lake experience which has its origin in the W.W. W. Kellog Project and aimed at showcasing how linkages in agriculture and tourism can foster and promote income generation in the Amerindian communities.

IICA Representative in Guyana, Mr. Ignatius Jean, right, holds the attention of Mexican Ambassador Mr. Fernando Sandoval Flores, and his wife Ms Martha Hernandez Martinez, during a visit to one of the organic pineapple farms. ( photo saved in Graphics as gets attention

In 2005, under the theme “Strengthening of the Tourism Sector through the development of linkages with the Agricultural Sector in the Caribbean”, Guyana, along with Nevis, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados, embarked on the three-year project which comes to an end today.

The main activity of the inhabitants of the Mainstay/Whyaka community is farming of organic pineapples, at Tapacuma the main focus is on cassava, while at Capoey the main stream activity is craft.

Under the project, an in-depth study of how to promote and increase linkages to create economic opportunities for the tri-lake communities of Mainstay/Whyaka, Tapacuma and Lake Capoey, as well as how to enhance the sustainable development of agriculture and tourism, was undertaken.

During Saturday’s programme, chaired by Dr Blair, participants were privy to a detailed overview of the project by Mr. Jean, and the proposals emanating from the study, and the way forward with the focus on agro-tourism.

The latter was presented by Miss Paul who undertook to develop an Agro-Tourism Inventory, in particular at Capoey, during Phase One, to highlight the products available, possibilities of doing business, and the market demand among others.

Included in the programme as well were visits to an organic pineapple farm and a Heritage Trail, both projects conceptualised under the tri-lake experience and run by the Tri-Lake Farmers’ Association headed by Toshao Pearson, along with a visit to Capoey.

Among those attending the forum were Mr. Ignatius Jean, IICA Representative, Guyana; Mr. Dennis Moses, OAS Director in Guyana; Mr. Yvonne Pearson, Toshao, Lake Mainstay Village, Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam); Mr. Sunil Singh, Regional Executive Officer, Regional Democratic Council, Region Two; Ms Maureen Paul, Project Consultant; Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh, Director, Guyana Tourism Authority; Ms Renata Chuck-A-Sang, President, Tourism & Hospitality Association of Guyana; Mr. Norman Whittaker, Liaison Officer to the Minister of Amerindian Affairs; Ambassador of Mexico to Guyana, Mr. Fernando Sandoval Flores and his wife, Ms Martha Hernandez Martinez; CIDA representative in Guyana, Mr. Raymond Drouin and wife Maria Cristina Pineda; Mr. Leighton Waterman, representing the CARICOM Secretariat; Dr Richard Blair, Rural Development Specialist, IICA, who chaired the forum, and other IICA staffers; Captain Valerie De Younge of Capoey; and representatives of Tapacuma and Mainstay.

Giving an overview of the project, Mr. Jean, spoke of ways in which the communities through linkages in agriculture and tourism can economically develop their respective communities.

Residents were exposed to training which focused on capacity building, best practices in agro-tourism, good environmental practices, management and food processing.

He noted that within the three Amerindian communities, women are holding their own and are the ones in the forefront of doing business.

He reminded that the project was conceptualised by IICA’s Director General, Dr Cheston Brathwaite, when the other striving industry in the region was tourism, following a decline in agriculture in the areas of bananas and sugar in a number of CARICOM countries, and even in Guyana, with the change of the European policies as it relates to sugar tariffs.

And taking into consideration that the Caribbean’s import stood at some $3billion, Dr Brathwaite was of the view that a forging of linkages between agriculture and tourism could help alleviate the problem.

The IICA representative in Guyana further pointed out that ago-tourism goes beyond the visit to the farm, but encompasses as well the supply and participation of food with the participation of people.

During a power-point presentation on the ‘Community Strategy Document’, Ms Paul spoke of the many income generating opportunities which remain untapped within the communities and which can aptly be showcased during the ever-popular Amerindian Heritage Day/Month celebrations.

At the conclusion, copies of the blue print were presented to the representatives of the OAS, THAG, GTA, the Region Two RDC, the Amerindian Affairs Ministry and the Toshao of Mainstay, Capoey and Tapacuma.

Earlier, Toshao Pearson of the Mainstay/Whyaka Amerindian Community, who enlightened participants as to the meaning of Whyaka — first people at this place — said that as a result of the project, residents of the three communities have been empowered with ideas through which the communities can individually and collectively work towards sustaining themselves.

Mr. Haralsingh, in his presentation, in addition to emphasising the need to strengthen and develop agri-tourism, spoke of the Government’s commitment to the venture and future plans, while Ms Chuck-A-Sang said there is a challenge for hotels in Guyana to increase the variety of food for customers, as well as seek more innovative ways of presentation.

Mr. Moses of the OAS, said the OAS is heartened to be associated with such a project which seeks to improve the livelihood of the stakeholders. He hoped though that the result will be manifested in bringing about such an improvement.

Singh of the Region Two NDC noted while the effort to have residents of the tri-lake communities sustain themselves both in the areas of agriculture and tourism, it is imperative that focus on maintaining a clean and healthy environment is not lost, as both agriculture and tourism should co-exist.

IICA was commended by Whittaker for hosting the seminar which shows that in addition to helping, accountability is of high priority on their agenda for the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.