Capitalise on residential land space for agri production – President Ali to Ruby residents

The Guyana Government is pushing an intensive food security agenda, and President Dr Irfaan Ali on Thursday encouraged residents with large residential lands in the countryside to utilise the space for agricultural production.
The Head of State made these remarks during a community outreach at Ruby, East Bank Essequibo (EBE). While the area is known primarily for farming activities, the President is contending that more can be done to expand their production. He pointed out that these are high-value areas for production of many new and high-value crops, such as horticulture production. Pointing to the large lots of residential lands, President Ali urged persons to capitalise on their use.
“[We have to look at] how can we capitalise these land space to be more productive, to bring in more income,” he posited.

The Guyanese Leader went on to note that one of the viable sectors that residents of Ruby can start to explore is fish production. In fact, he said Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, can have the capital equipment come into the communities to help create little fish ponds for those interested. He added that this can be a collaborative effort between neighbours.
“So, if you have a hundred lots here and you have each one of them with quarter acre land to put in a pond to do fish production – aquaculture – then we cooking with gas here… So, automatically, you will have about 25 acres of aquaculture, and that is what we’re focused on. How do we come together as a community and capitalise on the type of advantage that we have,” President Ali stressed.
The Head of State said Government is focused on finding ways in which it can support communities that are already heavily invested in farming and agricultural activities to further expand their operations. This, he explained, is in line with Guyana’s goal to become the main hub for food supply for the entire Caribbean Community (Caricom). Guyana is currently leading the region’s food security initiative that is aimed at reducing the Caribbean food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

Improving productivity
President Ali further pointed to Nicky’s farm operations in the area, where the fruits and produce out of the community are now finding their way as manufactured juice going to the North American and Caricom markets.
“So that is what we want to do: work with you on building out this eco-system; building out this agriculture production system… We can’t achieve greatness unless we improve the productivity of our people and the productivity of our businesses. To increase and improve the productivity, we have to have the right technology, the right training, the right research and development,” he stated.

Listen, assess, address
According to the Head of State, that is why he has been accompanied by a delegation of not only Cabinet Ministers but heads of state agencies and regional representatives, so that they can listen to the residents and address their needs, as well as learn from them what can be done to further improve their productive capacities.
Moreover, the President was pleased with the high turnout of females at Thursday’s meeting. He outlined that his Government is keen on working on programmes and initiatives that would continue to empower women.

“[We want to] give you the opportunity to owning your own farms, your own types of businesses. So, we have to discuss that too,” the Guyanese Leader stated.
President Ali has already expressed his intention to launch a programme for women across Guyana to be more involved in the productive sector. In fact, after returning from his recent visit to India, the Head of State has hinted at rolling out a massive horticulture project led by women.
Meanwhile, the Head of State further underscored the importance of his community engagements, stating that they would be the hallmark of how his administration seeks to not only develop and transform the country, but also enhance the lives of citizens.
“In Budget 2023, what we want to do is work with you on the ground, work with all of you in the communities, to see how we can ensure that your priorities and your needs, to ensure that the things that matter to you and the things that bother you on a day-to-day basis, are addressed also,” he declared.
“It’s very important to do the big things: build the transformative projects, build the economy, give the Because We Care grant and expand it, increase the old age pension, support women, support young people, build sporting facilities, advance the economy, build out schools and health centres; but, importantly also, is how do you integrate and involve your ideas, your vision, your aspirations in building the prosperity in every single home, ensuring that every single household benefit from the transformation that is taking place,” he stated.
This way, according to President Ali, the benefits would ensure that the lives of citizens are not only enriched, but that wealth can be passed down to future generations, thus lifting families out of poverty.
“All of us aspire to leave a country, leave a society, leave a family that is better off than we would’ve found it. So, that is what we want. We want to work with the communities…so that you move from one generation to the next generation in a better place,” the Head of State noted. (G8)