–could pave way for direct transport of agriculture products to Caribbean territories, Jagdeo says

WITH several initiatives underway to support the economic livelihoods of hinterland communities, the Government of Guyana is mulling the development of port and processing facilities in Region One, which could see the direction transport of agriculture products to the Caribbean.

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary and Guyana’s Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo made this disclosure during a news conference last week.

Dr. Jagdeo told reporters that several persons from the Barima-Waini region recently raised concerns with officials, and have also made suggestions as to how to boost its economic and social prospects.

The government, he noted, has been providing support by distributing more plant nurseries, and supplying farmers with much-needed planting materials.

However, while this is being done, discussions were held to further boost the region’s economic trade.

“Another element of what we had planned for Region One was developing port facilities there, and processing facilities so we can export directly into the Caribbean, rather than to bring the goods to the coast,” Dr. Jagdeo explained.

Back in 2023, the government had commissioned MV MA Lisha, commonly known as the ‘North West ferry’, which can journey from Region One to Trinidad and Tobago in just 15 hours, and other Caribbean countries, thereby opening opportunities for the export of “high-value” agriculture and fish products.

The vessel is set to have a major impact on the business community in Region One, and will allow for not just faster transport time of their products and produce, but will also see a significant reduction in transport costs.

“Region One alone has the capacity to produce all the cassava, eddoes, sweet potatoes, yams, turmeric, ginger, and cage-culture fish that the entire Trinidad and Tobago can utilise,” President Ali had said.

Back in December 2023, the Guyana Chronicle had reported that the region was becoming a major centre for food production, was being considered.
At a year-end press conference, Guyana’s Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha had revealed that there was a significant increase in the production of spices, and the delivery of approximately $30 million in planting materials to farmers from Regions One and Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), who had invested in the cultivation of spices, specifically turmeric, ginger, black pepper, and nutmeg.

“In the other crops also, we have seen a significant increase in ginger production, especially in Region One and some parts of Region Three. To date, we have a total of 250 acres of ginger, which was cultivated between August 2022 and May 2023. Over 216 farmers benefitted from planting materials for turmeric, and we will continue to increase production of the spice as well,” Minister Mustapha had said.