TO ensure all farmers have equal opportunity to contribute to the growth of the agriculture sector, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, met with farmers and residents of Salem and surrounding communities on the West Bank of Essequibo, on Wednesday, to discuss their concerns.
While speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Minister Mustapha explained that the primary aim of his visit to the Salem community was to listen to the concerns and issues that farmers and residents were facing.

He also noted that people from the neighbouring communities were also given the opportunity to raise their concerns about matters that were affecting them.
According to the agriculture minister, “these visits are important to us; the farmers requested that they wanted to speak with me, and I went. This is the only way that we can hear and see what the issues in these communities are and decide on the way forward. Like President Ali and our Vice President, Dr. Jagdeo, have said all along, we are taking the government to the people, and we are listening and solving their issues, one community at a time. They have several drainage and irrigation issues, and I wanted them to know that it will be fixed. I will be doing all the internal drainage for the farmers and desilting the main canals so that they can have proper drainage.”

The Minister further related that the farmers also requested assistance in getting the dams fixed so that they could have easier access to their farms.
“I would have the machines grade and shape the dams so that the farmers can get to and from their farms in a quicker and safer manner. I have also committed to building a shed for them on a wharf that they have there so that their produce can be stored out of the heat.”
Additionally, Minister Mustapha said that he has instructed the engineers from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to get the estimate done so that it can be presented before the tender board.

Upon approval, the minister said that work is expected to commence in a “week or two from today.”
He also stated that the Salem area is producing a lot of ground provision and other cash crops that are contributing “tremendously” to the livelihood of people in Guyana. “Over the years, the farmers in this community have been complaining and asking for better facilities, and I am pleased to say that our government is fulfilling their requests,” explained Mustapha.
Furthermore, Minister Mustapha said they are closing off this year’s budget, and he wants the farmers from Salem to also know that he will be making some proposals in next year’s budget to have some ‘major’ works for the area, such as the ‘all weather roads’ from the farm to market, along with some other infrastructural developments such as bridges.
He added, “I have promised them that I will have regular contact with them, and I will also ensure that the extension officer visits them on a regular basis as well so that he can give assistance to the livestock, cash crops, and other farmers in the community. I am hoping that we can maintain these types of relationships not only in the Salem community but in all the communities across the country.”

Finally, Minister Mustapha said that the farmers of Salem and all the farmers in their respective fields across Guyana are making a “valuable contribution” in the agriculture sector.
According to the minister, the farmers are responsible for Guyana becoming, once again, the breadbasket of the Caribbean, and as such, he explained that the government is committed to working with them to make their lives and work easier. Mustapha stated that “throughout the Caribbean, we are leading in the agriculture sector, and, with President Ali’s leadership, our farmers are going to reap the benefits of their labour; we are investing tremendously in them and the sector, and it shows.”