NAREI signs over $29M in contracts for lab equipment, installation of geotextile tubes

National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jagnarine Singh signed several contracts for the supply and installation of laboratory equipment and 100 metres of geotextile tubes along the Nonpareil foreshore on the East Coast of Demerara.
The contracts were signed on Thursday at the Agriculture Ministry and will see the execution of topographic surveys in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Four (Demerara-Mahaica) as well.
The surveys, when completed, will be a critical component for the restoration and management of mangroves and to ensure suitable shoreline elevation. NAREI, in a statement, said that surveys would facilitate the gathering of critical elevation data to support monitoring along the foreshore from Ogle to Kitty and from Enmore to Annandale, Region Four, and from Taymouth to Anna Regina, Region Two.
It added that data collected would be used to inform future management and design of restoration interventions.
The $10.7 million contract for the installation of the geotextile tubes was awarded to S&K Construction and Consultancy Services and General Supplies. The project, which has a duration of two months, will cater for groynes along the Nonpareil foreshore, Region Four.
An $8.72 million contract for the topographic surveys in Regions Two and Four and a $9.85 million contract for the supply and delivery of laboratory equipment and accessories for NAREI’s lab were signed with Bailey and Associates and MS Trading, respectively.

The equipment, once installed, will allow for the smooth operation of NAREI’s laboratory, thereby increasing the number of annual germplasms produced. In the past, the lab has been instrumental in producing disease-free and disease-resistant planting materials for farmers, thereby increasing production and productivity.
In an invited comment after the contract signing, NAREI’s CEO stated that such contracts remain paramount to the smooth functioning of the institute’s work programme and further progress in the strengthening of the country’s mangrove structures.
“For instance, 100 metres of geotextile tubes groyne will be constructed along the shoreline to increase sedimentation and create a suitable habitat for mangroves to be restored…similar structures were done by NAREI in areas such as Devonshire Castle, Reliance and Anna Regina which have resulted in natural regeneration of mangroves,” he said.
Just Wednesday, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha inked several contracts for the execution of works across the country and the supply of several pieces of machinery which are intended to improve the general lives of farmers and other residents across the country.
Six agencies that fall within the Ministry’s purview signed a total of 16 contracts, which amounted to $975,170,707.