WITH some 100 acres of land expected to be turned into modern farmsteads, this project is expected to provide stable incomes for single parents and those with an agricultural background.

Late last week, President, Dr Irfaan Ali announced that in an effort to expand its agricultural entrepreneurship programme, they will embark on a multi-agency programme to convert 100 acres of land along the Soesdyke-Linden highway into modern farmsteads.

This multi-agency project will be between the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Housing and Water and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission.

To this end, the Head of State said that low-income houses will be constructed along with shade houses in the backyards. The intention is to have some 500 farmsteads on these 100 acres.

President Ali was at the time addressing graduates from various agricultural programmes.

He said: “When we look at the numbers in one of those farmsteads, that shade house in the immediate term will give them the resources to repay a loan and give them additional money in their household income[s].”

Further to this, he highlighted that the design of the farmsteads will be different with the shade houses at the back of the homes and some amount of farmland at the front of the properties.

President Ali expressed, “If it is a medium size house lot with the shade house at the back with the home in front and the front yard, we are putting farmland with permanent crops like [sic] breadfruit [and] like [sic] coconut.”

With that, he iterated that they will be engaged in the production of long-term crops which carry a high value. Additionally, single parents will be able to get an economic boost to satisfy their housing demand and give them an opportunity for a higher quality of life.

Speaking directly to those present at the engagement, President Ali said that they have a great opportunity to put to use the knowledge they gained while completing their various programmes.

He further added that it is an opportunity for them to create and build productivity, and prosperity and apply their knowledge in advancing farming and the systems here in Guyana, using technology.