Mr Khandai, like his predecessor Mr Walter Joseph, not only advocates agriculture dispensation, but also exhibits and produces market crops for the four traditional markets in Essequibo.
The department has recently made available planting materials for Siriki village, Wakapoa, Bethany and St. Denny’s Mission. Mr Khandai had distributed a quantity of coconut plants, free from the dreaded ‘plant mite’ invasion which had affected some areas of the island of Wakenaam. The plant nursery located at Charity in The Pomeroon has been the main benefactor for farmers in the region. In several areas, inclusive of the five housing schemes made by Food for the Poor, (Guyana), The Guyana Agriculture Producers Association(GAPA) has established units in subordination of the Ministry of Agriculture to identify farmers’ needs.
The officials of the Regional Agriculture Department will soon introduce the planting of European grapes of two varieties in the areas of Tapakuma, Kabakaburi and St Monica, in The Pomeroon. They will also promote a field day on budding and grafting with farmers in the Jacklow area. Simultaneously, a new cooperative has been established in the Siriki- New Haven area. This co-operative will involve75 families, who were displaced by flooding, and have now occupied higher lands. They will engage in the rearing of goats, honey production and aquaculture.
Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Ali Baksh, has visited the area recently and had a meeting with farmers at the marketing centre building at Charity. He also addressed coconut farmers and complimented the two farmers who have invested in the bottling of coconut water for export. The minister also visited some areas that are being drained with the help of machines provided by the government.
