Several development projects are currently underway in Annai Central, Region Nine, including agriculture, transportation, tourism and small business development, aimed at improving livelihoods and expanding economic opportunities for residents.
Village Toshao Ivor Daniels told the Department of Public Information (DPI) in an interview on Friday that some projects are already benefitting the community, while others are in the final stages of development.
One of the village’s primary economic drivers is a cassava farming and processing facility, which employs residents from Annai and neighbouring communities.
Funded through the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), the project employs both men and women on two-week rotating shifts to ensure more families can benefit from the income.
“We are really happy that we were able to get that funding…At least six people are working at a time,” Daniels explained, before stating that, “The women are mainly involved in the processing, while the men assist with heavier work like cutting firewood, clearing land and planting.”
The end products are then sold to residents and visitors passing through the area. “Even I go and buy the cassava products there,” he said.
Annai has received approximately $24 million through LCDS funding. To support the growing agricultural sector and local businesses, the village has also secured a canter truck to assist with transportation.
Daniels explained that the decision to purchase the vehicle was driven by the heightened scale of cassava production and the challenges of local shops in transporting goods.
“The business is getting bigger, but we didn’t have transportation,” he said before stating that, “We decided to use the funds to buy a truck that can help the factory and the businesses.”
The vehicle will be used to transport cassava products and assist shop owners and residents who require goods to be brought into the community.
Meanwhile, a newly constructed salon in the village is expected to become operational once the necessary equipment has been purchased.
While two residents have already completed training to manage the facility, the building remains closed pending the arrival of furnishings and professional tools. There are also plans to develop a barber shop extension in the same area to provide additional grooming services.
Agricultural development is also expanding in Annai, including a pepper farming project led by women. This initiative, which began through Hinterland Environmentally Sustainable Agricultural Development (HESAD), suffered a setback after crops were damaged; however, the village has since allocated additional funds to help farmers restart the project.
Farmers have already begun replanting crops and are also cultivating cassava and other produce on the same land. Daniels has encouraged farmers to diversify production with crops such as watermelon, callaloo and shallots to maximise land use.
Plans are also in place to create a centralised agricultural area where visitors would see the cassava factory, pepper farms and other agricultural activities in one location.
Beyond agriculture, Annai is expanding into tourism. Two reservoirs and lodges are being developed near the Rupununi River, an area Daniels noted has already attracted significant interest. Tourism officials who visited the site previously highlighted its scenic environment and strong potential as a destination.
Another LCDS-funded initiative involves creating a small recreational and wildlife area for children. Approximately $1.5 million has been allocated to develop the site near a local pond. The space will feature seating, a small bridge and shaded areas for families to gather.
Two reservoirs and lodges are currently being developed near the Rupununi River, an area that Daniels said has already attracted interest from visitors. According to him, tourism personnel who previously visited the area reportedly praised the scenic environment and its potential as a tourist destination.
Several other infrastructure projects are in the final stages of development. The existing village office has been repaired, while a new office building has been constructed and is awaiting official commissioning.
Work is also being completed on an elevated structure designed as a scenic viewing area for residents and visitors. These upgrades form part of a broader effort to modernise the village’s administrative and recreational facilities.