–project formally gets off the ground

AS the first phase of the Caribbean Local Economic Development Programme (CARILED) gets underway, the proposed Tapakuma Women’s Agricultural Diversification Project (TWADP)was formally commissioned last Wednesday, and gifted with some key tools to get it up and running. 

At the Office of the Regional Democratic Council of Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Ministry officials formally handed the items over to the TWADP, including one brand new 45 horsepower John Deer Tractor with three-

disk plough; four chainsaws with sizes ranging from large to small; four knapsack sprayers, and other spares, oils filters and maintenance pieces.

Reflecting on Guyana’s potential to once again be the “Bread-basket of the Caribbean”, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Norman Whittaker stated that Guyana once prided itself in supplying “the rest of the Caribbean with most of its fresh food that they needed.”

Whittaker noted the role of the indigenous people in providing for the local markets as he outlined the need for Guyana to focus on food production. He also acknowledged the need to “diversify” this production in order to maintain a comparative advantage, and respond to changing demands.

“The Government of Guyana has over the past decade or two determined that we needed to go outside of the traditional production,” Whittaker said, adding that “the element of risk had increased because of our continual dependency on rice only.”

The efforts of diversification, he noted, must be met with the ability to increase crop production and so the machinery being donated to the group will allow them to “prepare a larger portion of land over a shorter period of time at less costs per hour, and per acre.”

Giving an overview of the CARILED project was CARILED Project Coordinator, Mr. Dhanraj Singh who disclosed that the initiative is currently spread across Regions 2 (Pomeroon- Supenaam), 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 4 (Demerara-Mahaica), and 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne) as part of a six-year venture focused on fostering and improving the capacity of local authorities in economic development.
According to him, what has been implemented is merely the first phase of two initiatives, while the second “is being observed in several other Caribbean countries” with a project deadline of 2018.
Receiving the donations was Toshao of the Tapacuma Mission, Ms. Doreen Jacobus who expressed her appreciation to the Local Government Ministry and the Canadian Government for the stellar contribution being made. She recalled that in the journey for recognition, farmers in the community, both male and female, had formed themselves into a group to effectively bargain with the local authorities.
She said that after some time, she was informed by Dhanraj that the group had been identified by CARILED for funding. The Toshao added that although there was some doubt from community farmers, the donations made were reflective of the commitment by local authorities to regional and community development. The Tapacuma Mission is home to some 500 indigenous Guyanese and 114 families.
Another component of the Tapacuma project encompassed a training session conducted in April where participants were instructed in methods of small-farm management, farm accounting, budgeting in relation to income and expenditure, examining good agricultural practices in handling food items after harvesting, capacity-building and improving the delivery of services to community members.
Regional Chairman of Region 2, Mr. Parmanand Persaud expressed the support of the Regional Administration to communities within its district “to encourage them to improve their local economy.” He urged that while Government cannot employ every citizen, the onus is on the citizens to become gainfully employed by “making good use of natural resources” and becoming diverse and innovative in their activities.
In a joint venture between the Ministry of Local Government & Regional Development, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Caribbean Forum of Local Government Ministers (CFLGM), the Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities (CALGA), and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum, CARILED has paved the way for improved agricultural development and diverse economic activities in regional and neighbourhood districts in Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
The Caribbean Local Economic Development Programme (CARILED), which was launched close to two years ago, is now going full steam ahead with its implementation phase. It is being funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

(By Derwayne Wills)