- Min. Mustapha says villagers already benefiting from Black Giant birds, shadehouse materials, etc.
Several communities across Region Nine are now benefiting from a range of agricultural interventions implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture following commitments made by Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha during a ministerial outreach to the region last month.
To date, a total of 2,000 Black Giant birds have been distributed to 80 farmers across several communities. Farmers from Marcanata received 160 birds, Potaranau received 400 birds, St. Ignatius received 440 birds, Tabatinga received 800 birds, while Hiawa received 200 birds.
Minister Mustapha noted that, over the last five years, the Ministry of Agriculture through the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) has made significant progress with the Black Giant Programme as it seeks to make hinterland villages self-sufficient in poultry production. He said the interventions also seek to create opportunities for families to improve their livelihoods while contributing to the development of the village economy.
Efforts to promote apiculture in Region Nine are also ongoing, as several farmers and community groups from Nappi received beehives and other related support to expand honey production. Members of the Nabbee Group from Nappi received 15 beehives along with 200 coffee plants to support the diversification of their agricultural activities.
In another intervention aimed at restoring livelihoods, bee farmer Rolston Usher of St. Ignatius received several hives after twelve of his hives were washed away due to adverse weather conditions.
Farmers in Moco Moco also benefited from support to expand crop cultivation. The community received agricultural inputs to assist with land preparation as well as rice seeds for the cultivation of five acres of rice.
Meanwhile, the Bina Hill Institute and the Aranaputa Women’s Group also received shade house netting, plastic, and other materials to support agricultural training and production activities, while cassava farmers from Quari and St. Ignatius were provided with cassava planting materials to support increased production. Additionally, farmers from Sawariwau received 40 bags of fertilizer to support ongoing cultivation activities and improve crop productivity. To support livestock development in the region, pasture seeds were also distributed to several villages to assist farmers in improving grazing areas and expanding livestock production.
Minister Mustapha said the interventions demonstrate the government’s commitment to delivering resources and services to further develop the sector, even in hinterland communities.
“When we visit these villages and communities, and farmers raise issues and commitments are made, we have an obligation to deliver. This PPP/C government under the leadership of H.E. President Dr. Irfaan Ali has a track record of delivering on all of the commitments made to the people of this country. We remain committed to putting the people first. We believe that development must be people-centred, and that is why we continue to work with communities to implement short, medium and long-term interventions and solutions to improve lives and create economic opportunities for every citizen,” Minister Mustapha said.
