-Gov’t to demarcate 450 plots of lands
The PPP/C Government has once again demonstrated its commitment to agriculture, which is a major part of community development, as it continues to make interventions with respect to farmers countrywide, aimed at minimizing the effects of climate change.
Yesterday, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud met with residents and farmers at Siriki Primary School, Pomeroon River.
Also in attendance were Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kellawan Lall, People’s Progressive Party/ Civic General Secretary Donald Ramotar, Regional Chairman Ali Baksh, Manager of Administrative Division Lands and Survey Enrique Monize, India’s Coconut Expert Dr. Shivarama Reddy, technical officials from the Ministry and representatives of the Guyana Agricultural Producers Association and the New Guyana Marketing Corporation.

Gathering during meeting at Siriki Primary School, Pomeroon River

Minister Persaud, in his remarks, said that the Administration is making good on its promise to transform the living and farming conditions of residents along the Pomeroon River.
He noted that Guyana is very unique when it comes to the high level of vulnerability in the global market; and as such, there are many challenges oftentimes faced, since its primary export is agricultural based products.
“When there are price movements, we feel it because we are a small player in the big market. We are also vulnerable to climate change. Many of our coastal and riverine communities are in fact severely affected,” he said.
This, he said, will take a toll on the economy since it was predicted that in August the country will experience 40 percent above normal rainfall, resulting in severe pressure on resources and programmes, since the country is currently moving from an El Nino to La Nina situation.
He pointed out that this (climate change) puts countries such as Guyana at risk as experienced from natural phenomena; but noted that Government will continue to look at additional interventions to confront the challenges.
“It is dangerous because it threatens our economic existence and that is why we have come up with a series of programmes in terms of becoming a climate resilient economy.”
The development of rural areas will provide opportunities for improvement in income and a reduction of poverty, and so the Ministry of Agriculture is embarking on a land demarcation exercise in Region Two.
The exercise will see 200 plots of agriculture lands being developed at Siriki on the right bank of the Pomeroon River, 150 plots at Warapana, and 100 at Onderneeming on the left bank of the Essequibo River. Each plot is 10 acres and the project is being done at a cost of $36M.
Minister Persaud highlighted that the project will allow people in riverine and Amerindian communities access to more lands and not to take away lands as is portrayed by elements in society. (GINA)