IN this week’s NAREI in Focus we will begin a series on our Plant Nurseries, which provides farmers with quality planting materials for long term crops such as citrus, avocado, and soursop at a subsided cost. NAREI currently operates nine Plant Nurseries. Farmers could obtain budded and grafted seedlings at the following locations:

· Mabaruma, Region One
· Charity, Region Two
· Pouderoyen, Region Three
· Mon Repos and Timehri, Region Four
· Fort Wellington, Region Five
· Benab, Region Six
· Bartica, Region Seven
· Lethem, Region Nine

Bartica Plant Nursery
Cuyuni-Mazaruni is known for gold and diamond mining activities. But, as Guyana adapts measures to become a green state, Bartica, its main economic hub is being transformed as a green town. Neighbouring communities are also tapping into green-initiatives being implemented.

For example, farmers operating in the district are responding positively to the call for investing in agriculture. Production of permanent and cash crops have increased in the district. Consequently, NAREI has been enhancing its facility as well as increasing the production of quality planting materials.

According to Aaron Ramroop, Hinterland Coordinator, “There is a growing demand in Region Seven, particularly Bartica for budded plants by farmers and so NAREI took the initiative to establish an orchard there.”

The benefits of the works carried out last year are now being reaped. NAREI established a mix Orchard comprising tangerine, orange, rough lemons, seedless limes, avocado and breadfruit. Clean and certified planting materials were obtained from NAREI’s main Nursery at Mon Repos. To date, most of the crops planted have already begun fruiting.

The two main objectives for expanding the Bartica Plant Nursery to include the orchard are to have a ready supply of seeds and budding materials. NAREI wants to ensure farmers operating in Bartica and neighbouring communities have access to pest and disease-free planting materials.

Ramroop related that NAREI also executed infrastructure works at its Bartica location last year. He noted that whilst works were done to the shade house floor and trestle, the Institute also renovated the living quarters for staff. The boat is currently being repaired.