MINISTER within the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Alli Baksh, told scores of farmers in the Upper Pomeroon River that agriculture is important to the livelihood of residents in riverine communities.

He said the focus of the Government is to develop agriculture, especially in other crops; and he called on planters to cultivate those that are high in demand on the local and international markets.
Referring to coconuts, the minister said the estates in the Pomeroon, during the People’s National Congress (PNC) government in the 1970s and 1980s, were left to die because of a lack of markets.
He said that during those dark days farmers suffered greatly, and even had to barter dry coconuts for foodstuff.
According to him, when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government took over on October 5, 1992, new life was breathed into the country, and the agriculture industry woke up.
Baksh said that Government, over the years, has injected huge sums of money to develop the agriculture industry, particularly in the Pomeroon.
Coconut industry
He said that with Government’s efforts, the coconut industry has come back to life, and the demand for dry and water coconuts is growing daily.
The minister said farmers are also getting good prices for the nuts, and he pointed to the establishment of two coconut water bottling plants in the Pomeroon River, and the Pomeroon Oil Mill at Charity that produces the Golden Brook vegetable oil.
Baksh also emphasised the importance of cultivating crops such as ginger, black pepper and turmeric, which are highly demanded on the export market.
He said the Ministry of Agriculture is also providing technical advice to farmers through the National Agricultural Research & Extension Institute (NAREI).
Accompanied by PPP stalwart Mr. Harripersaud Nokta, who is also Adviser to the Ministers in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development; Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) Chairman Mr. Parmanand Persaud; Vice-Chairman Mr. Vishnu Samaroo, and Regional Crop Extension Officer Mr. Kaimraj Nauth Khandai, Minister Baksh visited Karawab, St. Monica, Kabakaburi and Pickersgill, meet farmers in the field, and inspected their farms.
Baksh also took the opportunity to address several concerns of farmers; and following up on an earlier visit, he met with toshoas and councillors of St. Monica, Karawab and Kabakaburi, and had discussions on developing their communities.