COCONUT farmers along the Upper Pomeroon River are continuing to reap the benefits of planting materials distributed by Alfro Alphonso & Sons Enterprises of Charity, Essequibo Coast, as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to strengthening agricultural livelihoods.
During the most recent distribution exercise held on February 3, 2026, more than 2,000 coconut plants were handed over to farmers from the Kabakaburi, St. Monica, and Karawab Missions. This follows earlier distribution exercises carried out in July and August 2025, fulfilling a commitment made by Mr. Alfro Alphonso during the elections campaign period, a promise that has since been fully honoured.
To date, over 6,000 coconut planting materials have been distributed to farmers across the Upper Pomeroon area.
The initiative comes at a time when farmers are also benefitting significantly from improved drainage works undertaken by the Government of Guyana under the leadership of the PPP/C. Extensive desilting of old canals and creeks, the construction of new drainage canals, and upgrades to the drainage network have transformed access to farmlands across the Pomeroon.
Farmers say the impact has been immediate and practical.
Previously, blocked and overgrown waterways forced them to trek long distances through muddy dams and dense vegetation to reach their farms. Today, the cleared canals allow them to travel by boat directly to their farm landings and in some cases, right to their homes, making farming more efficient and less physically demanding.
Meanwhile, the company’s General Manager Eric Gomes, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting farmers with planting materials whenever the need arises.
He noted that the fertile lands in the area are now being better utilised due to the improved drainage infrastructure and easier access.
Michael Samuels, a farmer from one of the missions and councillor of the Regional Democratic Council (Region Two), also welcomed the government’s intervention. He highlighted that farmers can now safely moor their boats at their own landings and reach their farms with ease, greatly improving daily agricultural operations.
Samuels further pointed out that farmers who benefitted from the first batch of planting materials in 2025 are already seeing encouraging results. He expressed confidence that, within the next few years, the missions will emerge as major coconut suppliers within the Pomeroon.
