Govt praised for timely interventions, development at Baracara

…as Agri Minister promises massive development

Women and youth of Baracara and surrounding communities in the Canje River are loud in their praise for Government over the many interventions aimed at advancing agriculture and general livelihood in their communities
The residents were high in their praise, noting that the community has never seen development at such a rapid pace.
Baracara Community Development Council Chairman, Marshall Thompson pointed out that residents recently received Black Giants and feed from the Government. Additionally, a new stelling was constructed, allowing residents to have their boats moored in a secure place and also allowing easy access in and out of their boats. The community is only accessible by boat.
Meanwhile, Thompson pointed out that one of the biggest interventions thus far is the construction of canals which will allow more sustainable farming.
The community depends on farming. For several years residents have been complaining of a lack of proper infrastructure.
A contract has already been signed and the contractor is expected to commence work this week which will see a section of the savannah being fenced off to keep cattle in.
Some farmers have been forced to give up their trade as cattle have been feasting on their crops. During the rainy seasons, many of the cattle move from the flooded lands to higher ground that the farmers use for cultivation.
President Dr Irfaan Ali visited the community several weeks ago and committed to assisting the residents.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha told farmers that close to 90 per cent of the commitments made have already started. This includes a number of infrastructural works totalling some $187 million.
He said the Government will work to restore agriculture in all of the farming communities along the Canje River.

During the meeting, several farmers raised concerns about the challenges they faced during the previous rainy seasons.
Head of the Farmers’ Cooperative Body, Roland Amsterdam said the high levels of rainfall and flooding have resulted in tremendous loss of crops and livestock and many are finding it difficult to recover.
“From the last meeting, we would have planted back, but the rain kept falling so scores of farmers are still suffering right about now,” Amsterdam said while noting that there is a dire need for fertilisers in the community.
Meanwhile, farmers who were present on Friday when the Minister and his team visited, received chemicals, fertilisers, Acoushi ant bait, coconut seedlings, and planting materials.
Mustapha said the strategic plans will see the Ministry working along with the community to adopt sustainable practices in food production, as well as in agro-processing.
“We have to change that kind of mechanism and that kind of thinking that we are just doing cash crop farming, and as soon as we reap it from the farm and we take it to the market. What we have been doing, we have been building these agro-processing facilities so that we can add value to our produce,” Mustapha said, adding: “Rather than take the produce to the market, we will package it and send it overseas; we will have for consumption here, but we will also get more money for you.”
In order for this to happen, the community must first decide which crops could be produced on a large scale.
A team of technical officers from the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) will return to the community to conduct assessments and soil testing.
Meanwhile, officials from the Ministry are expected to meet with farmers in the coming weeks to deliver on other commitments made by Mustapha and to discuss developing an agriculture programme for communities. (G4)