AGRICULTURE Minister, Noel Holder last week accepted a proposal to begin discussions for the construction of an all-weather road from #58/59 Villages to Canje Creek.Upon completion, over 8000 farmers stands to benefit from the project as it offers better access to farm lands in the Berbice area. The proposal was made by the Berbice Regional Representative, Office of the Prime Minister, Mr. Gobin Harbhajan. The Regional Chairman of Berbice, Mr. David Armogan also lauded the benefits of the project adding that access to lands is one of the factors hindering further agricultural development in the region.

In an invited comment, Mr. Harbhajan explained that in 2006, the former president of the Upper Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. David Subnauth brought the idea of an all-weather road from the public road to the Canje Creek, but he saw no avenue at the time whereby he could ventilate the project. “In 2015 when the Coalition government came into power I decided to rekindle this idea, which I know would receive the focus it deserved. I then discussed the idea of this project with the owners of Nand Persaud and Company Limited, who agreed that the construction of this road will make a vast amount of scarce lands available to farmers,” Harbhajan said.

Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder welcomed the project adding that such collaboration is needed to fully unlock the potential of the agriculture sector in the Region. “Such a project will have a direct effect on the economic growth of the Region and seeks to provide a better livelihood for farmers and their families,” he said. He further noted that such a project will significantly boost agriculture production in the ancient county since agriculture is the backbone of the region’s economy. A series of meetings were held with over 20 farmers, other stakeholders and the CEO of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, Mr. Freddy Flatts.

The team from NDIA will be working with the Lands and Surveys department of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to get the project on the way. It was pointed out by Mr. Harbhajan that lands previously cultivated have been abandoned due to the deplorable state of the existing mud dam. Additionally, the area will not only see the cultivation of rice but other crops such as coconuts, provisions and citrus fruits. Processing plants will also be set up in the two industrial sites earmarked.

The $900M investment will also pave the way for additional rice lands to be brought under cultivation.
The next phase of the project will see the team engaging the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission, after which the proposal will be sent to Cabinet for approval. The team comprised Mr. Gobin Harbhajan, Office of the Prime Minister Representative in Berbice, Mr. Lakhram Singh, Vice-Chairman, Works Committee of No. 52-74 NDC, Mr. Mohindra Persaud of Nand Persaud and Company, Mr. Ramlagan Singh, Farmer and Member of the Rice Producers Association (RPA) and Mr. Haseef Yusuf, RDC councillor and Public Relations Officer, Nand Persaud and Company Limited.

(GINA)