–gov’t to examine establishment of cargo boat, upgrades to farm-to-market roads in Waramuri Village, President Ali says

OUTLINING several initiatives to boost the village economies of communities in Region One, President, Dr Irfaan Ali touted plans to restart the large-scale production of coffee and other high-value crops such as breadfruit.

“We want to do some major crops here that are high-valued [sic] and that will put you back on the regional map,” President Ali told Waramuri, Region One, (Barima-Waini) residents during a community meeting on Thursday morning.
The government, he said, would support villagers with bringing into production Liberica and Arabica coffee plants.

“We want to bring back the coffee production in Region One, and we are investing in 10,000 plants to start back this production in Region One,” Dr Ali said.
To further boost the sector, the Head of State shared plans to support the local breadfruit production to meet the demands of local and regional markets.

“These are long-term crops, we want to replant 5,000 breadfruit plants in [the] region; so that we can become an important supplier of breadfruit for the country. We are going to move into this production because these are crops that have value on the regional market,” the President said.

The Head of State outlined plans to improve farm-to-market roads, and establish much-needed infrastructure to support the export of produce from the region.
Dr Ali said: “We have to invest also in farm-to-market roads so that it’s easier for you to bring out your produce. We have to find ways in which we can invest in a cargo boat, to take your produce when your produce is here to Charity and to export it.”

The government will also provide some 20,000 coconut plants to increase production of that crop.
Meanwhile, at Karaburi, President Ali committed to supporting villagers in the enhancement of the local agricultural sector there.

“I think there is tremendous potential in this region and we want to now move to another phase of development where we create opportunities; where we invest in opportunities for the future, where more of the women in our society can earn, more young people can enter forms of entrepreneurship and agriculture is a main aspect of that,” the Head of State said.

He is currently leading a ministerial outreach across several Region One communities. On Thursday, the President also heard the concerns from residents in White Water.
After listening to the concerns of residents, several commitments were made by the President to improve the delivery of education, enhance the local infrastructure, and support other agricultural ventures in the various communities.

Only recently, Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo had disclosed government’s plans to examine the development of port and processing facilities in Region One.
Dr Jagdeo at a recent news conference had 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.

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 to other Caribbean countries, thereby opening opportunities for the export of “high-value” agricultural 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.
Back in December 2023, the Guyana Chronicle had reported that the region 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 and black pepper.