FARMERS in the Indigenous community of Bethany, located along the Supenaam Creek, recently received planting materials and other agricultural supplies from the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI). This initiative follows a commitment made by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha.

Regional Vice-Chairman Humace Oodit, who facilitated the distribution, emphasised that the delivery fulfilled a promise made to the residents.

He recalled that during Minister Mustapha’s visit to Bethany in September, a brand-new extra-long boom excavator was handed over on behalf of H.E. President Dr. Irfaan Ali. At that time, Minister Mustapha also pledged to provide seeds, seedlings, and other inputs to support and enhance agricultural production in the community.

Approximately 2,500 seedlings were handed over to NAREI officers for distribution. These included passion fruit, lemon, orange, lime, tangerine, coconut, soursop, rambutan, cherry, sorrel, carambola, papaya, turmeric, and peanut.

Toshao Sonia Latchman expressed gratitude on behalf of the community, noting that the seedlings would enable local farmers to expand cultivation.

She highlighted that Bethany has ample agricultural land and that the recently acquired excavator has already been instrumental in improving farming conditions.

She added that increased planting will lead to self-sufficiency, reaffirming her community’s appreciation for the Ministry of Agriculture’s support and timely delivery of the requested seedlings.