Region 5 outreach – Over 120 farmers receive on-the-spot assistance

…as Govt “breaks down bureaucracy” – Agri Minister

More than 120 persons sought assistance in the agriculture section of the Government’s public outreach held in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) on Friday, with most of the concerns being addressed immediately, according to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha.
The Minister made the disclosure while highlighting the benefits of the Vice President (VP)’s outreach programme, which allows residents to engage directly with Cabinet Ministers and senior Government officials on issues affecting their communities and livelihoods.
The outreach, led by VP Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, is part of a series of engagements being conducted across the country to bring Government services closer to citizens. Similar exercises have already been held in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
Speaking with media operatives during the outreach held at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Compound in Fort Wellington, Mustapha said the initiative provides an important avenue for residents to raise concerns, make suggestions and seek solutions without having to navigate lengthy administrative processes.

He noted that the Government’s approach is rooted in ensuring that citizens have a direct voice in decision-making and access to those responsible for addressing their concerns.
According to Mustapha, the outreach programme also helps to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles that often delay the resolution of issues raised by residents.
“We are also breaking down the bureaucracy that exists in regions. For example, many issues people would have raised with officials and technical officers are sometimes not getting proper attention from them. When they come here directly with the Minister and the vice president, they have direct contact, and the issues are being dealt with immediately,” he explained.
Mustapha revealed that the agriculture section alone saw a significant turnout, with farmers and other residents seeking assistance on a wide range of matters.
“As a matter of fact, since morning [Friday], in the agricultural area, I have seen over 120 persons,” he said.
The concerns raised included issues relating to land, farming operations and access to services and support required by farmers.
“And most of the issues that were raised were resolved immediately. Things like land issues, farming issues, health, what farmers would have needed, and things like that,” the Minister stated.
Region Five remains one of Guyana’s most productive agricultural regions, with thousands of residents involved in rice cultivation, cash crop farming, cattle rearing and other agricultural activities. Farmers in the region have traditionally raised concerns relating to land access, drainage and irrigation systems, farm-to-market infrastructure, access to support services and other matters affecting production.
Engaging directly with the Govt
Mustapha said the strong turnout at the outreach shows that citizens see value in engaging directly with Government officials and are obtaining solutions to problems affecting them.
“So, I think that this is a good way of having residents and citizens come and make direct contact with Government officials, with the highest people in office, the Minister, the vice president, and things like that,” the Agriculture Minister said.
He added that the increasing participation in these engagements is evidence that the initiative is delivering results and providing residents with meaningful redress.
“This is the philosophy of our Government… It shows with the number of persons that are coming to these outreaches; it shows that these outreaches are having results, and they are getting proper redress,” Mustapha said.