NAREI gets $60M fleet to step up fruit fly surveillance

A fleet of vehicles valued at $60 million was handed over to the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) to strengthen surveillance and control of the Carambola Fruit Fly and improve agricultural extension services across Guyana.
The brand-new fleet handed over on Tuesday comprises five pickup trucks, six ATVs and 12 motorcycles.
The vehicles were procured under the Agricultural Infrastructure Development Programme (AIDP), financed by the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF).
The investment will support the strengthening of Guyana’s national Carambola Fruit Fly surveillance network, allowing NAREI officers to conduct trapping programmes, field inspections and regular monitoring, particularly in major fruit-producing areas.

Speaking at the handing-over ceremony, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha highlighted the importance of the equipment in supporting Guyana’s efforts to ensure food security.
“This is at a cost of approximately $60 million. I want NAREI, as I said, NAREI is the premier resource institution for us in this country. We are ensuring that NAREI provides the kind of facilities so that NAREI can be equipped to provide the necessary guidance to us because, you know, food security is important. The President is putting a lot of effort into food security in Guyana; we want Guyana to be a premier food producer in CARICOM. We are moving there very aggressively, but we have to have the facilities, we have to have the resources.”
Mustapha further highlighted the significant increase in Government’s investment in the agriculture sector, noting that the sector’s budget has grown from $18 billion to $113 billion in just a few years.
“Over the years, we have seen the investment from Government. We have moved the agriculture budget from $18 billion to $113 billion, so you could see the investment going up. But at the same time, you are employees of this institution. You are tasked with the responsibility of executing the Government’s policy, and you are very important for us. That is why we are providing these facilities to you.”
He nevertheless explained that employees of NAREI have an important role to play in executing the Government’s agricultural policies, which is why the Government is providing the institution with the necessary facilities and resources.
“I hope that you will use it in the best interest of the country and ensure that NAREI plays that important role that we want NAREI to play. You know we are now building that food hub at Yarrowkabra, we are looking at production in various areas. Although we have seen a little decline in our half-year production report in the first half of the year, I am very optimistic that come the end of the year, we will rebound, and we are seeing increased production at various levels. Rice, for example, other crops, other areas in the agriculture sector.”
Mustapha has since instructed NAREI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to ensure the newly acquired vehicles and equipment are used efficiently and properly maintained.
He also urged employees who will be using the vehicles to take good care of them and ensure they are used for their intended purposes.
“The CEO, I have already instructed him that he use it efficiently, and we also have to take care of this equipment. Many times, we have these machines and equipment and vehicles and motorcycles and ATVs. Sometimes we abuse them too. So I want you, as employees who will be using them, to ensure you care for them and use them for the maximum purpose that they are there for.”