AGRICULTURE Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, has engaged cane farmers in Region Three on the future of sugarcane cultivation as major infrastructural development projects continue to advance across the region.
The meeting provided farmers with an opportunity to raise concerns affecting their operations and contribute to discussions on measures that could address those issues while development progresses.
Mustapha reiterated the Government’s commitment to balancing national development with the protection of farmers’ livelihoods and the interests of citizens who may be affected by major projects.
Discussions also centred on the current sugarcane crop, which has recently commenced, including the production and supply of cane to the Uitvlugt factory and matters relating to the continued cultivation of sugarcane in Region Three.
The Agriculture Minister said development projects should move forward while consideration is given to the economic activities and livelihoods that could be impacted.
The engagement brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), including Director General Dhaneshwar Deonarine, Chief Executive Officer Paul Cheung, members of GuySuCo’s Board of Directors and other senior staff.
The discussions form part of ongoing efforts to engage stakeholders as development activities expand in the region while ensuring that agricultural production and farmers’ concerns remain part of the national development agenda.