Farmers along the East Bank of Berbice who had called for better access to citrus planting material have received 5,000 plants as part of efforts to expand agricultural production in the area.
Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha delivered the planting materials on Friday at the Edinburg Community Centre, fulfilling a commitment made after farmers raised concerns about not receiving the type of planting materials needed to expand their operations.
During an earlier visit to the area, farmers specifically identified citrus fruits as one of their needs. “I made a commitment there that we will give them…and that commitment was fulfilled today,” the minister said.
The initiative is forms part of a broader push to strengthen agriculture along the East Bank of Berbice, an area the government sees as having significant potential for increased production.
Over the past few years, drainage and irrigation works have been undertaken in the area, while agencies including the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) have been working with farmers to support livestock, rice and cash crop production.
“We want to ensure that we’ll continue to expand agriculture in the East Bank of Berbice,” Minister Mustapha underscored.
Increasing production is only one part of the plan.
With more produce expected to come from the area, Minister Mustapha said consideration is being given to establishing an agro-processing facility on the East Bank of Berbice in the next national budget.
“We are going to ensure that we add value to the primary product that farmers have been producing over the years,” he underscored.
Meanwhile, farmers welcomed the support. One such farmer was Paula Sejam, a resident of Mara.
“I’m very, very happy about this because I was waiting. I also order plants but you’re not getting plants, so getting plants free from the government is very good,” she told the Department of Public Information (DPI).
Fellow Mara resident, Maharani Rampertab also praised the initiative, stating: “I want to send a special thanks out for the president, vice president and all the ministers.”