Govt unveils master plan for $6B homestead project to empower single mothers

– construction of 500 houses to commence soon

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has unveiled its master plan for a $6 billion homestead programme at Yarrowkabra along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, that will target single mothers.
During a meeting with Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips; other members of the Cabinet; technical officials and officials from the banking sector, the President unveiled the project which will commence shortly.
It was further revealed by the President in a social media post that 500 houses would be constructed under the project, over 100 acres of land at Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke-Linden Highway. During last week’s opening of Building Expo 2024, President Ali said that the 500 homes would be built in just six months under the project.
“Before the end of this year, we want to build one of the fastest communities in the history of our country and the history of this hemisphere. We want to deliver 500 homes in six months, a remarkable task before us. But it’s not just delivering the homes. These homes will be delivered to single mothers. Single mothers who will be the homeowners.”
“It is an economic model that we are going to test. These homes will be small farmsteads. So, for the first time, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Housing, Lands and Survey, the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Ministry of Human Services will be working together to deliver this project,” he had said.
The project cost had been quoted by President Ali at a press conference in June when he had said that the project would cost approximately $6 Billion. He had further explained the sources of funding the government would be pursuing.
“This is a project that the cost parameter is about $6 billion (and) we are looking to get the local private sector and the banking sector involved in this so that we can create wealth in every level of society,” he had said.
Only recently, the government launched a programme that would see 100 acres of land being offered to young people who have either completed studies or are currently pursuing studies at the University of Guyana (UG) and the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) to work on farmsteads and develop agri-based businesses.
Not long after this announcement, President Ali had signalled the impending launch of a bold homestead agriculture programme that would see single mothers being provided with low-income homes that will come with permanent crops and shade houses, maximising their earning potential and aiding Guyana’s food security agenda. According to President Ali, this bold initiative will tackle several issues at once, including home ownership, building community wealth, and food security.
“If we have five coconut plants, hybrid coconut plants in a year, that will give you yield in three years, you will be surprised to see the value it creates. And then at the back of the yard, we’ll put a small shade house that is dedicated,” the Head of State had outlined.
“So, you’ll have 500 homes on 100 acres of land. And 500 shade houses, dedicated to specific products that we linked to the market. And when you reap and get the value, (you’ll be able) to repay that low-income loan every month. So, this is how we’re going to integrate the livelihood programme with technology and home ownership.”
It was recently revealed at the 47th Caricom Heads of Government Meeting that Caribbean Community (CARICOM) States collectively reduced their food imports by 12 per cent in the first quarter of this year. Overall, as much as 30 per cent of the targets set for food security have also been achieved, thanks in part to innovative programmes that aim to boost food production.
Other agricultural-related achievements were taken note of during the meeting, including the development of a Regional Youth in Agriculture Strategy and the launch of the Regional Economic Agri-Insurance Programme (REAP) on July 26, 2024. These were recognised as positive steps towards building resilience and production.
Guyana is currently chairing the Caricom Ministerial Task Force on Food Production and Food Security. Vision 25 by 2025 aims for the Caribbean to achieve a 25 per cent reduction in the Region’s food import bill by 2025. Owing to the Region’s dependency on imported foods, it faces hardships when disruptions to the supply chain occur. (G-8)