Region 10 to scale up agriculture through gardening clubs

In the quest to scale up agricultural activities in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice), the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) is exploring the creation community gardening clubs.

This was recently outlined by Regional Chairman Renis Morian, who posited that the initiative, once adopted, would assist the Region with securing an agriculture budget.

Region 10 has been without such a budget for a number of years. Morian said community gardening clubs may also promote youth involvement. The community has for years been dependent on the bauxite and gold industries. Morian explained that he will meet with the Region’s Agriculture Committee to broach the initiative:

“I am still pushing to see agriculture scale up in Region 10… I want to look at community gardening clubs and involve a lot of young people. It’s another way of helping our youths to look in this direction. It also speaks to our food security and also helps the community. I will discuss this with the Agriculture Committee and together, the gardening clubs will come on stream.”

Just recently, Agriculture Committee Chairman Douglas Gittens disclosed that several recommendations were put forward on agricultural enhancement when the Committee met for discussions. He pointed out that the committee would like to become involved in agro-processing training through the Agriculture Ministry.

The committee is expected to present a plan for developmental activities for the Region to the Minister of Agriculture. It has also made recommendation for a department of agriculture in the Region, with subdepartments such as for aquaculture, with the aim of initiating a budget to the Region, through the Plan of Action for Regional Development (PARD).

Morian has also urged the Committee to write the National Agricultural Research Extension Institute (NAREI) and Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, regarding steps to be taken.