THE current hot, sunny weather across the Essequibo Coast is having an adverse effect on the pineapple crop in the Mainstay/Whyaka Amerindian community. Farmers said the soil, which is mostly white sand, becomes very heated during the day and is slowing growth of the plants.

Former Vice-Chairman of Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) under the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government in the 1980s, Ms. Mary Williams, who is now an active pineapple farmer, said the cultivation is in need of plenty rain to develop quickly.
Mainstay/Whyaka, which produces thousands of pineapples each season, is known for its delicious fruit.
The village has its own factory and produces organic pineapple chunks for the European Union market, providing employment for residents at harvest time.
The Government, through the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), New Guyana Marketing Corporation and the Ministry of Agriculture, provides technical assistance to farmers for growing pineapples organically and finding markets.