THE Agriculture Ministry is on a mission to promote investment opportunities in Guyana’s Intermediate Savannahs as part of a two-pronged approach aimed at tackling climate change and its effects on agriculture here.

During a recent visit to Linden, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder outlined the scope of agriculture potential available for development in the region’s savannah lands when he met with officials from Regional Democratic Council of Region 10.
Minister Holder was accompanied by a team of officials from a wide range of agencies.

In his preamble prior to a PowerPoint presentation on the Intermediate Savannahs and the opportunities that await investors, Minister Holder said mitigation does not only assist in the improvement of the country’s economy, but also prevents economic losses.

“In this regard, the hinterland and Intermediate Savannahs of Region 10 have been earmarked as Guyana’s new agricultural frontier, as the country continues its quest to narrow the gap between the coastland and hinterland regions,” the minister said.

The Agriculture Ministry has since commenced construction of agricultural stations in the major eco-zones including one at Ebini in Region 10. These stations demonstrate the agricultural potential of the area, such as orchards, nurseries and seed production, as well as breeding herds of cattle and small ruminants to provide breeding stock for farmers and seed stock for entrepreneurs.

“This region is unique….There’s no other region like this that is so well connected, well wired to the whole country other than the Upper Demerara-Berbice Region,” Minister Holder stated.

To ensure the success of the model for the agricultural development of the Intermediate Savannahs, good planning and governance are necessary for both social and economic development.

To this end, a number of studies have already been initiated and incorporated in a detailed plan to make the development of the Intermediate Savannahs a feasible and ‘bankable’ proposition. These include the preparation of a detailed land use plan; a road, river and air transport plan; a water supply and distribution plan; an institutional, organisational and management framework; a social services plan; a physical infrastructure plan and a plan for agricultural support services.

There are also plans for agro-processing, environmental protection and eco-tourism.

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman, Renis Morian, in welcoming the development, said the intervention by the Ministry is a timely one which will significantly aid the advancement of agriculture in the region.

He added that while work has been done in the past, much more needs to be done.

“We are indeed happy that the Ministry of Agriculture will be working with the region to advance our agricultural potential; however, much more can be done and I am adamant that this will birth something spectacular,” the chairman added.

The Intermediate Savannahs cover areas of approximately 270,000 hectares. It consists of 70 per cent forest and 25 per cent of savannah lands and comprises five discrete areas; the Kimbia/Ebini Savannah (East of the Berbice River); the Wiruni Savannah (West of the Berbice River); the Ituni/Tacama Savannah (West of the Berbice River); the Kibilibiri Savannah (West of the Berbice River) and the Eberoabo Savannah (West of the Berbice River).

The development model for the Intermediate Savannahs speaks to a period of about 20 years and points to successful identified crops suitable for the soils types there. These include soybean, citrus and peanuts, among others. The rearing of livestock as is the case at the GLDA’s pilot station at Ebini is another successful venture underway.