THE new Board of Directors of the Mahaica-Mahaicony Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) will make their top priority the turnaround of the fortunes of previously neglected and badly damaged co-operative societies within the project area in Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice).This was disclosed recently by appointed Chairman of the Board Dr Kenneth Sealey in an address to farmers in Region 5.
He noted that Guyana is the only Cooperative Republic in the world where people neglect co-operative societies and even target them for dissolution.
Dr Sealey said in Region 5 in particular, the neglect of co-operatives and what they stood for had caused severe sociological consequences.
“These are some of the problems which the new board has to deal with; problems handed down to us from the neglect and subsequent damage to co-operatives by the previous administration,” he said.
The chairman noted that even in the so- called capitalist countries, cooperatives are being supported and allowed to thrive because of the many benefits which they give to members.
“They are supported as community businesses because they help members to cut costs of production; get better benefits from businesses cooperatively owned and allow the communities a better shot at the good life,” he said.
“If our cooperatives are not perfect, then we have to work with them. We can and must help them put in place the mechanisms which will ensure they survive and grow and develop for the benefit of their members and the communities in which they live,” Dr Sealey stressed.
Presenting another element of his vision for the MMA/ADA during his tenure as chairman of the board, Sealey stressed that the MMA/ADA has to broaden its economic base.
“We have to look at projects differently. We cannot enter into the projects on the basis of political adventurism. We have to go further than producing ordinary raw materials such as rice, beef and milk. We have to have value-added projects that will bring employment to our youths and to raise the standard of living of our people.”
He said that himself and the other members of the new Board of Directors are committed to lobbying local and international investors who can put added value to what is produced within the MMA/ADA project area.
In this regard, he lauded the initiatives of members of the Habibullah family who have established two abattoirs in West Berbice which are of the standards required for exporting beef to regional and international markets.
“This is the type of investment that we will lobby for. We need more of these by both local and international business people,” he said.
The new Board of Directors , drawn from prominent farmers and members of the Region 5 community, was installed in July last.
The Secretary of the Board is General Manager Aubrey Charles and the body meets once per month on the last Friday of every month, to address issues,   to review work done and to ensure furtherance of the new objectives of the authority.