VP Jagdeo reaffirms commitment to agriculture during outreach

VICE President (VP), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has underscored the significant investments made by the Government of Guyana in the agricultural sector during a two-day outreach in the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region.

Accompanied by a high-level team, including Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh; Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha; Local Government and Regional Development Ministers Sonia Praag and Anand Persaud, and Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Madanlall Ramraj, Dr. Jagdeo, on Tuesday, engaged with rice and cash crop farmers to discuss ongoing improvements and future initiatives.

Speaking at the Anna Regina Secondary School auditorium, Vice President Jagdeo highlighted the government’s allocation of over $2.4 billion to enhance the region’s drainage infrastructure.

This substantial investment, which includes the construction of culverts and the clearing of canals and river dams, aims to mitigate flooding and support sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, farmers now have improved access to chemicals necessary for combating paddy bug infestations.

The farmers expressed their gratitude towards the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) for their continuous field support. For the first time, no farmer in the region is owed by any miller, reflecting improved financial stability and trust within the agricultural community.

Addressing concerns related to the Panama paddy payment issue, Dr. Jagdeo conveyed optimism with the recent election of a new government in Panama, anticipating the processing of pending payments. Farmers also acknowledged the positive impact of recently provided farming implements, which have significantly enhanced their agricultural productivity and livelihoods.

Queenstown farmers requested additional land for pig rearing, prompting Dr. Jagdeo to instruct Guyana Lands and Surveys officers to assess the feasibility of allocating more land for that purpose. Bridgemohan, a local farmer, noted that many pig farmers in the area were in need of more land. The farmers also emphasised the need for a steady supply of stock feed to support their livestock.

“I would like to thank this government. We are satisfied with the services offered by GRDB and NAREI. Previously, there was an issue, now we don’t have it,” a farmer explained.

To further support local agriculture, an excavator will be dispatched to the Mainstay community to assist with drainage improvements, and planting materials will be provided to support the cultivation of passion fruit plants.

“We appreciate outreaches like these. We get to voice our problems and get immediate actions. We are glad for this intervention. Thank you, Dr. Jagdeo,” the farmers related.

Dr. Jagdeo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of both cash and rice farmers. He announced that, for the first time, the government has allocated funds to GRDB to enhance its services to rice farmers, ensuring sustained agricultural development in Region Two. (By Indrawattie Natram)