Canal Bank records 800% increase in forestry production since 2021 – President Ali

…as Govt seeks to expand agri-production across Region 1

Support from the Guyana Government has resulted in the hinterland community of Canal Bank, Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini), recording a massive growth in its forestry production.
This was revealed by President Dr Irfaan Ali during an outreach to Canal Bank on Friday afternoon. While addressing residents from there as well as surrounding communities, he highlighted the many investments his Administration has made in various sectors to advance the village economies across the region.
In forestry, the Head of State disclosed that Government established a Canal Bank Loggers’ Association, which has been issued with more than 16,000 acres for small loggers within the community. They were also given a quota of 1000 tags for this year.

 

According to President Ali, forestry production was a mere 3,738 sqm in 2021 and has since gone up to a whopping 24,374 sqm at the end of 2023. The Guyanese Leader posited that this improvement of almost 800 per cent in just two years was as a result of direct support from his government.
“Eight hundred percent increase in your [forestry] production. Why did you get that increase? You get that increase because the government facilitated the development of the forestry sector and supported you in the development of the forestry sector. And this is going to continue,” Ali assured.
Reminding of the near-bankrupt state of the forestry sector when the last administration left office in 2020, the President further outlined that today, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government is working on giving out more concessions and more quotas and tags because they want communities like Canal Bank to be productive.
In fact, President Ali, who along with some Cabinet Ministers conducted outreaches in several Region One communities, outlined plans to expand agriculture production across the Barima-Waini, making it a primary food source for Guyana.
Earlier on Friday, they visited Hotoquai – a Mabaruma Sub-district, where the Head of State announced plans to develop some 250 acres of farmlands to expand agricultural production.
During the community consultation in the Amerindian village, Ali told residents that the government would be clearing and empoldering the farmlands to support local farmers and communities.
“We want to see among these communities present here today, at least 50 acres of land in one central area, dedicated to pineapple [production]. We want to see 100 acres of land dedicated to plantain production,” he urged the residents.
Additionally, the government will provide 4,000 pounds of ginger and 5,000 coconut seedlings to farmers to support the expansion of these crops.
President Ali addressed the issue of coconut supply shortages, especially during the dry season, and stressed the importance for it to be cultivated to meet the current market demands.
The administration will also be working with farmers to establish equitable pricing for their produce.

“We’re going to work with you on establishing a fair price and the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) will work on taking off the produce and bringing the produce to the market, especially now that we’re advancing our work in satisfying the CARICOM market,” President Ali said.
Furthermore, the government plans to launch a programme in Region One to achieve self-sufficiency in onion production, aiming to reduce import costs significantly.
The initiative is expected to bring about positive changes, fostering sustainability and resilience within the local communities.
In addition to these developments in Hotoquai, the government will also develop 500 acres of land in the Mabaruma district to expand cassava production, addressing the impact of the prolonged dry season on local farmers.
Meanwhile, addressing residents’ concerns about the impact of the dry season on crop production, President Ali assured them of immediate support by providing cassava, ginger, plantain, and yam planting materials.
President Ali’s two-day outreach also included engagements with the villages of Waramuri, Karaburi, and White Water in the Moruca sub-district on Thursday.
He also met with residents of Arakaka in Region One during Friday’s outreach.
During these meetings, he announced plans for large-scale citrus cultivation in Santa Rosa Village and significant investments in the sub-region’s high-value crop production, focusing on coffee, coconut, and breadfruit.
Accompanying President Ali were the Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, and Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, along with other technical officers from various ministries. (G8)