Major food hub, eco-tourism facility for South Rupununi – Pres Ali

In order to push the sustainable development of communities, President Dr Irfaan Ali has outlined an ambitious plan to work with Indigenous leaders in the South Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) to build resilient agriculture and tourism industries there.

The Head of State travelled to Aishalton Village on Friday to participate in the South Rupununi District Council’s general meeting. There he met with leaders of the 21 villages in South Rupununi on developing a strategy for the economic and environmental empowerment of the district.
In a subsequent address to residents, President Ali related that his Government wants to build a national food hub and the world’s best eco-tourism facility in South Rupununi. He indicated that Guyana is working with Brazil, particularly the State of Roraima which borders Region Nine, to build out a sustainable food production system, including a cold storage facility, transportation and guaranteed markets.
“We have started to lay out a plan for the South Rupununi, from the [National] Toshaos Conference to here today, that will focus on food production, food security, and focus on growing food for Guyana from the South Rupununi.”
“We’ll be working with our Brazilian partners and the Ministry of Agriculture, and before the end of this year, we want to identify to the Council, a large area that we will put down these mega agriculture areas to support your food security, Region Nine’s food security and Guyana’s food security,” the Head of State detailed.
Only last week, the Governor of the State of Roraima, Antonio Olivério Garcia de Almeida, was in Georgetown where he had discussions with President Ali and his Cabinet members, including Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, on strategic cooperation in a host of areas such as agriculture and livestock.
Coming out of those talks, the two sides committed to developing a food and livestock processing hub in Lethem, Region Nine, to increase agriculture production and exports to the Caribbean region and beyond.
They also agreed to establish scholarships and exchange programmes between tertiary institutions of Guyana and the State of Roraima, in the areas of agriculture, research and technology transfer.

Biodiversity hotspot
Meanwhile, President Ali told residents of South Rupununi on Friday that another area he had discussed with their leaders earlier that day is the biodiversity potential of the region, and how they plan to work together to leverage these assets to attract major investors.
“We’ve agreed that we are going to bring down the team from [the Ministry of] Tourism, and Go-Invest (Guyana Office for Investment) to work with South Rupununi on developing an investment prospectus so that we can market South Rupununi in the areas that you want investment to come. So, we can get a world-class tourism facility, marketing South Rupununi at all the global levels so that we can get visitors coming here to utilise the services [in communities],” the Head of State pitched.
According to the Guyanese leader, the ecosystem assets in the South Rupununi has tremendous potential especially given its location in the southern-most savannahs in Guyana, standing as one of the country’s most ecologically significant region.
“A true biodiversity hotspot. This sprawling region comprises a unique mosaic of savannahs, gathering forests, wetlands and forested mountains that holds an extraordinary array of species – many of which are endemic or threatened,” he outlined.
The South Rupununi also lies within the Guiana Shield – one of the world’s oldest and most biologically rich formation, and serves as a critical corridor connecting ecosystems across Guyana and other South American nations.
In this vein, President Ali went on to underscore the importance of Indigenous communities in protecting and preserving these resources. He stressed that ecotourism development must be community led, sustainably managed and rooted in the values of Indigenous communities.
“The Indigenous people of the South Rupununi have actively led and provided leadership in safeguarding these lands for generations, maintaining traditional knowledge systems that are inseparable to the region’s ecological integrity. South Rupununi is believed to have experienced significantly low deforestation and biodiversity loss.”
“I, therefore, want to urge all of you, to value this asset and to recognise the vast potential of the South Rupununi in becoming a leader in ecotourism. The beauty of this region, the rolling savannahs, the towering Kanuku Mountains, the majestic rivers, and the vibrant colourful traditions of your peoples make it a prime destination for travellers seeking authentic experiences and connections with nature,” the Head of State noted.