The enhancement of Amerindian villages and hinterland communities continues to be a priority of Government and it has been developing programmes to transform their economies.
One such is the National Hinterland Secure Livelihood Programme which is being rolled out as a pilot project in 15 communities in Region One.
The programme provides employment opportunities, sustains food security, generates income, and is a form of economic diversification.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, recently visited several communities in the Region to ascertain the progress of the projects and to determine where there is room for further development. The communities visited were: Tobago, Hobodai, Hotoquai, Arukamai, Kamwatta, Whitewater and Wauna.
They are involved in agricultural ventures including aquaculture, crab rearing and the cultivation of pineapples and passion fruit. Though some of these initiatives are not new to the villagers, the techniques employed are new.
The programme also has a very important component which involves technical support from the Volunteer Services Overseas (VSO) Volunteers and National Volunteers.
Minister Sukhai noted that farmers are engaged in the project and volunteers are providing the necessary guidance and technical support for the continued success of the project.
Tobago, a small and relatively new community, depends on fishing as one of its main economic activities; but owing to the long distances villagers have to travel to fish, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs fostered the setting up of an aquaculture farm in the community.
To speed up the process of constructing the two nurseries and two ‘grow out’ ponds, the Ministry bought an excavator. It is expected that the community will supply fish on a large scale domestically.
Minister Sukhai indicated that the ponds will allow economic growth and expose fishermen to new techniques in fish rearing.
Residents are pleased with Government’s initiative to develop such a venture in their community since they found it burdensome to fish far away from home.
Additionally, they are thankful for the interventions Government has been making throughout the years to ensure their progress.
According to a resident, Augustine Bumbury, “Here in Tobago, first time we came here, we were struggling; but now we are seeing better progress because we get fish pond, we get school and community shop through Presidential grant.”
Catching crabs is one of the major economic activities for residents in Imbotero since the environment is suitable, but the crab fattening technique being employed is new. Small crabs are bought from local crab gatherers and are reared until adult stage in a fenced area.
The operations at Imbotero are done systematically with the youth group assisting farmers in record keeping and financial management. This aspect of the project was fostered by the VSO and National Volunteers who held training workshops with the group and community leaders.
Minister Sukhai, who inspected the operations, indicated that she was pleased with the villagers’ response. She noted that had it not been for community co-operation, the first pond would not have produced crabs.
The Ministry’s aim of generating income in communities is becoming a reality with the crab fattening project in Imbotero.
Stanley Sam, who is involved in the project, noted that he has already sold over 100 quakes of the crustaceans. He indicated that depending on the number of crabs sold, one can earn about $15,000 per day. This is more than he used to earn from selling cabbage which only came up to $2,000 per day.
Currently the project has more than 40 acres under cultivation, benefiting Whitewater, Hotoquai, Hobodai and Wauna.
Farmers have already harvested one crop; and owing to good response; have embarked upon a second crop. In addition, some farmers have extended their farms so as to produce more passion fruit.
Hobodai farmer Dexter Gamell noted that he has four acres of passion fruit under cultivation, and is preparing two more acres for cultivation because of the progress the passion fruit has been making. He also highlighted concerns about transporting ripe passion fruit.
Minister Sukhai indicated that farmers may obtain information about suitable harvesting periods and proper storage facilities from the specialists, while transporting the fruits to prevent damage.
She also alluded to the fact that when the community is developing its Community Development Plan as mandated, it can include a passion fruit processing plant as one of its projects.
The honey project, which commenced in November, 2009, is being expedited in Arukamai, Hobodai and Hotoquai. Since this project is new to the farmers, training workshops were done to educate beekeepers.
Approximately 44 beekeepers were trained to construct hives, operate equipment used in handling bees, and skills used to capture bees. In addition, understanding the economics of beekeeping was also taught to them.
Some farmers noted that cultivating passion fruit and keeping bees simultaneously are advantageous since the blossoms from the passion fruit attract and provide for the bees.
Andrew Da Silva, a farmer from Arukamia, praised Government’s efforts in creating the project in their community.
He stated, “We have achieved a lot, especially in this community. Presently we have 38 hives with bees and we have like 50 hives over all; and I say that is an achievement for our group.”
Ginger is also being planted in Arukamia, and 15 farmers are engaged in its cultivation. It is expected that the ginger, when grown, will be made into ginger powder. Through the National Agricultural Research Institute, a ginger grinder was purchased from India.
Great prospects are ahead for pineapple crops in Region One. Minister Sukhai noted , “Negotiations are ongoing with Amazon Caribbean Guyana Ltd (AMCAR); we have met twice and they are prepared to be the agent to purchase the pineapples… to produce pineapple chunks for export to France.”
She emphasized that this is not AMCAR’s first project, and the company has the market and experience for such a venture. Minister Sukhai also highlighted that the pineapples have to be organic and of certain standards before the company purchases the fruit; as such, the volunteers have been working with farmers.
Minister Sukhai highlighted that the continued success of the project in Region One will chart the way for other communities to benefit from the National Hinterland Secure Livelihood Programme. (GINA)