FARMERS in Bonasika Creek along the Essequibo River recorded a successful agricultural year in 2012 although they were faced with a number of challenges.
Consequently, they are seeking the intervention of the Ministry of Agriculture to extend their land holdings to improve production in 2013.

On a recent visit by this newspaper, some of them shared their concerns and their difficulties in attracting assistance to cultivate more crops on a short term basis.
They indicated that they also need better remuneration for their produce.
The issue of wild animals destroying  ground provisions cultivated is a major worry, since the setting of traditional traps has failed and they are contemplating hunting them.
Towards that aim, an application for a firearm licence has been made, by one farmer, to the relevant authorities for consideration.
In 2012, the farmers in lower Bonasika Creek produced more than 10,000 pounds of ground provisions, citrus and other produce while in upper Bonasika Creek the produce was 100 percent more due to the extension of farming land and introduction of new, short and long term crops.
The Extension Division of the Agriculture Ministry will, this year, be establishing groups to better coordinate the cultivation programme and bolster the standard for marketing and other related issues.