…as major plans unveiled to boost rice, cash crop, livestock farmers in Region 6
The Government has plans in place to develop a cold storage facility in the Black Bush Polder (BBP), Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). This announcement was made by President Irfaan Ali when he visited the community on Wednesday.
According to the President, his Government will provide support to all categories of farmers. Speaking to rice farmers, he said, “Here in Black Bush Polder, we have to build a storage facility for your paddy and for your rice here in Region Six so that we can have enough capacity to keep the product; so when the market price is better, we can unleash it on the market,” President Ali disclosed.
BBP is a vital farming community known for its significant contribution to the country’s agricultural sector. Primarily focused on rice and cash crop cultivation, it plays a crucial role in ensuring food security both regionally and nationally. The fertile lands and structured drainage and irrigation systems support large-scale farming, which provides employment for hundreds of residents and boosts the local economy.
Black Bush Polder’s agricultural output not only supplies markets within the region but also contributes to exports, making it an essential pillar in the country’s overall food production and economic development.
A cold storage facility is extremely important to the community, as it will help to preserve the freshness and quality of perishable produce such as fruits and vegetables. By extending the shelf life of harvested crops, cold storage reduces post-harvest losses and allows farmers to store their products longer, giving them the flexibility to sell when market prices are more favourable.
This not only increases farmers’ income but also improves food security by ensuring a more consistent supply of fresh produce throughout the year. Additionally, cold storage enables better planning and supports agro-processing industries, contributing to the overall development and sustainability of the farming community.
Rice farming
President Ali said that his Government has to create a price stabilisation fund so that our farmers can be guaranteed a minimum price for their paddy. This, he said, will allow them to stay in the business of farming.
“We have to ensure that the system allows them to be paid on time. We have to support them with a transportation grant so that their cost of transportation will come down. We have to support them in marketing – not only with fertiliser, but also by bringing our small and medium-sized farmers together and building them into a consortium and giving them the tools and the equipment, their combines, the plough, and the drones; and supporting them with the technology and the extension service and the capital,” the President pointed out.
This, he said, will make it cheaper and easier, enabling farmers to be viable.
Cash crop, livestock and GMC
Focusing on cash crop farmers, President Ali noted that on many occasions, surplus produce has to be dumped.
“We must fix that! That is why we will establish an office for the Guyana Marketing Corporation [GMC] right here in your community; we will build enclosed storage, and we will ensure that when you have overproduction, the Guyana Marketing Corporation can help you take that produce, store it, process it and put it on the market.”
The President told farmers that they can expect business grants so as to access capital as part of the Government’s support to them.
Additionally, he said the Government will be building a modern feed mill to ensure livestock has adequate feed, as the Government will be pursuing efforts to improve breeding stock by importing better breeds.
“So you can have better quality animals – and we want to help in the flock expansion project by bringing in high-yielding bred animals to support the expansion of the livestock industry.”
This, the President outlined, will require technical support for farmers, which he assured the Government will be providing.
