Investor from India interested in large agriculture project
MINISTER within the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Ali Baksh has disclosed that a company from India is interested in investing in a palm oil and citrus production project in the fertile Amerindian community of Akawini.
He made the disclosure during a recent visit to Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), when he addressed farmers at a public meeting in Siriki, lower Pomeroon River, as well. Baksh said discussions are in progress with the potential investor and some 30,000 acres of virgin land are being looked at for the cultivation of oil palm, citrus and other non-traditional crops.
He said the government is doing a lot of work in the Pomeroon area to help farmers produce more.
According to him, more virgin, forested lands are being developed at Siriki and Warapana, upper Pomeroon River, to push agriculture development.
He said farmers will be given higher lands to cultivate in light of the rising sea levels and constant flooding of farms situated near the mouth of Pomeroon River during extreme high tides.
Baksh said government is also spending millions of dollars to impolder farms in both lower and upper Pomeroon River, so crops can be protected from floods during heavy rainfall.
He also announced that government is developing another 5,500 acres of virgin, fertile land aback Aurora and Riverstown, on the Essequibo Coast, to bolster agriculture on the coastland.

INVESTING MILLIONS
Baksh said the government is investing millions of dollars to develop the lands which will be distributed to young people, who have none, for farming.
The Minister said such lands will be used for rice and non-traditional crops cultivation, and some are also being developed at Onderneeming, for which young people, especially those who are married with families, can apply.
He said the government is exporting 91 commodities from Guyana and is always pushing to get new markets for farmers’ produce.
Baksh said, in Pomeroon, coconut farmers are benefitting from good markets for their dry and water nuts, as the demand for both is very high, because,  of good governance and management of the country’s affairs by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic  (PPP/C) Government.