WITHIN the second quarter of 2017, the turmeric processing factory which is being set-up at Hosororo Hill in the Mabaruma sub-region is expected to become operational.Residents are eagerly awaiting the start of the project, which is expected to provide

employment to persons in the area, including general staff to man the factory. The project will see turmeric being packaged after cultivation and marketed out of the North West District and the expectations include educational forums on new farming methods to farmers and the exploration of the regions’ agricultural potential.

According to Faron Pearson, Research Assistant attached to the National Agricultural Extension Institute (NAREI), the factory’s machines, as well as a generator, is awaiting installation from engineers, who are expected to travel to Guyana from India next month to begin the installation work. The operation includes a generator house and a storage facility where the processed turmeric will be stored before export out of the region.

NAREI’s Research Scientist of the spices programme , Ramnarace Sukhna, told the Guyana Chronicle that cultivation of spices is intended for several regions, but the focus at the moment in terms of a factory is Region One, given the climatic conditions, as well as the soil type which he noted is best suited for the crops. He said that four crops, nutmeg, black-pepper, turmeric and ginger are being cultivated on a semi-commercial scale in the region. He said that 75 farmers have benefited from the turmeric project thus far in Region One.

Sukhna noted that the plans for marketing will see the processed turmeric being utilised by local manufacturers within the capital city and when that market is satisfied, the focus may turn to the overseas market. “People are just a waiting the start and they are hyped about the project “, he said.

He noted that normally, the raw materials for spices are imported and then processed by the larger manufacturers, but given the plans NAREI has, the situation is expected to change to the benefit of farmers.

“NAREI was able to move from merely setting up pilot plots at various locations to a semi commercial scale of spices production in Region One “, Sukhna said.

At the nursery at Hosororo several stalks of “quick stick” limbs stood in neatly lined beds last Sunday. Beneath the stalks, young black-pepper vines were being cultivated to grow along the stalks. On another plot, ripened black-pepper berries hung under the stalks of the “quick stick” limbs. According to Pearson, the stalk was being used for the purpose of the nitrogen it exerts into the soil, a process which aids the growth of the black pepper.

According to Sukhna, black pepper cuttings were distributed to a number of interested farmers of Region. This year, NAREI will continue to generate black pepper cuttings and nutmeg seedlings, which will be distributed to a number of farmers.

Over at the demonstration farm, which is located on the hillsides of Hosororo , 10 acres of land has been cleared for planting of the spices and other crops. A total of 1000 black-pepper plants are appropriated for a section of the farm; at the moment 600 plants line the farm. Half acre of ginger and an acre of turmeric were also planted.

Pearson and a staff of five general workers have been manning the farm on a daily basis .He would make site visits to farms around the communities in the area and residents noted that the young man has brought life to the plant nursery. In addition, he has been commended for working beyond the nursery, with the assistance he provides to farmers in the area.

According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), more than 50 farmers from

turmeric producing communities of Region One, namely Arukamai , Hotoquai, Port Kaituma, Morawhanna, Hobodia, Yarakita, Koberimo, St. Anslym, Black Water, Kamwatta, Wauna and White Water have benefitted from planting materials, technical advice and training through NAREI.