The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Agriculture and the Region Two Administration, has distributed seeds and planting materials to farmers of Siriki, Warapana and other villages in the Upper Pomeroon River.
Region Two Chairman, Mr Alli Baksh, said farmers who lost their crops during the recent El Nino period were given assistance in the form of seeds and planting materials to restart cultivation of their farms.
According to the Chairman, the Government’s aim is to get the ‘Grow More Food’ campaign moving and for farmers to increase production.
Mr. Baksh also reported that coconut farmers are also enjoying ‘good’ prices for dried and water coconuts.
The chairman said a Dominican company is now purchasing coconuts from the Pomeroon.
Farmers are receiving $30 for a water coconut and between $12 and $20 for a dried coconut.
Mr. Baksh also reported that coffee farmers are enjoying good prices too. He said coffee is being sold at $350 per pound, which is a steep rise in price as compared to very low prices with no demand many years ago.
The chairman said farmers in the Pomeroon are getting better prices also for oranges, plantains and pumpkin.
He said the Regional Administration wants to assist farmers in the lower Pomeroon and to help maintain drainage canals in terms of removing weeds from waterways.
Mr. Baksh said the labour force will be increased.
Pomeroon is considered to be the breadbasket of Guyana and the Caribbean.
Every week tons of produce are transported to the capital city and Linden and to Caribbean countries via the Pomeroon River and Atlantic Ocean.