- aquaculture station being established in Reg. 9
The Ministry of Agriculture, through the Fisheries Department, has commenced cage aquaculture activities in Nappi Village, Region Nine, as part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to expand aquaculture production and create sustainable income opportunities in hinterland communities.
Last October, five fish cages were assembled and subsequently installed in the Nappi Reservoir to facilitate the rearing of Tambaqui.
On Thursday, while in the region conducting a series of meetings with villagers, Agriculture Minister, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, visited the reservoir and participated in stocking several of the cages with fingerlings.
While engaging residents, Minister Mustapha said the cage aquaculture initiative has emerged as one of the most transformative projects introduced in the agriculture sector since its inception. He noted that when the idea was first proposed by His Excellency, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, it faced significant criticism.
“When President Ali first spoke about the cage aquaculture initiative, many people had negative things to say. Today, we are seeing that this is one of the most transformative projects introduced by the Government of Guyana in the agriculture sector. This is because we have a President with a futuristic vision. The project is now enabling hinterland villages and communities to become more economically stable. While we will continue to provide assistance through our relief programmes, our government aims to make communities more self-sustainable while increasing their earning potential and economic standing,” he explained.
Under the project, the Government provides cages, fingerlings, and feed to riverine and hinterland communities, along with technical support and training for villagers and beneficiaries.
Minister Mustapha also disclosed that, to ensure the long-term sustainability of the initiative, an aquaculture station is currently being established in Lethem. He explained that the facility will provide Tambaqui and Matrinxa fingerlings, along with additional support, to communities involved in cage aquaculture as well as approximately 12 communities currently engaged in pond aquaculture.
The facility, he added, will be equipped with tanks, water and aeration systems, pumps, and a backup power supply, and is expected to benefit more than 5,000 residents across the region.
With construction currently underway, the aquaculture station is expected to become fully operational before the end of July this year.
