Berbice River communities receive machinery to expand production

Farmers across eight Berbice River communities are set to expand their agricultural operations with the support of new machinery handed over by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha.

Eight tractors, eight rotovators and a harvester were on Saturday handed over to farmers in DeVeldt, Geatroy, Fort Nassau, Sand Hills, Kimbia, Ebini, Wiruni and Wikki, providing them with the tools needed to move from small-scale production towards more modern and commercial farming.

The equipment forms part of government’s efforts to ramp up the production of beans, including black-eyed peas and red beans, for both the local and export markets.

The intervention fulfils a commitment made by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali to farmers in communities along the Berbice River.

The tractors are designed to work with the accompanying implements, allowing farmers to mechanise land preparation and planting.

With access to the machinery, farmers will be able to cultivate larger acreages, improve productivity and reduce some of the challenges associated with manual land preparation.

For farmers in these communities, having access to modern equipment means an opportunity to increase their incomes, expand their farms and build more sustainable livelihoods through agriculture.

Toshao of Wiruni village, Rohan Fredricks, commended the government for their interventions in the region and said the support has given farmers renewed confidence to expand their operations.

“On behalf of the Wiruni village and surrounding communities we would like to thank the government for delivering these equipment which will enhance the farming and benefit everyone in the community,” he said.

Another farmer, Trishel Hinds, who is planning to start crop production on beans and corn within the community, said the machinery will create new possibilities for farmers who previously faced limitations because of the amount of work that had to be done manually.

“This is a great opportunity for us. Before, we could only do so much because of the labour and the equipment we had available. Now we can think bigger, plant more and produce more. We are grateful to the government for investing in us and giving us the tools to move forward.” she noted.

Meanwhile, Minister Mustapha said the intervention is part of government’s broader vision to modernise agriculture and ensure farmers have the productive assets needed to increase output.

“We want our farmers to move beyond subsistence farming and into commercial production. When we put modern equipment in the hands of farmers, we are giving them the capacity to cultivate more land, produce more and earn more. This is about strengthening our food security, reducing our food-import bill and creating opportunities for our farmers to supply both the local and export markets.” he said.

The government’s investment is expected to strengthen agricultural production in the Berbice River communities while contributing to national efforts to increase local food production and reduce Guyana’s reliance on imported food.

For the farmers receiving the machinery, the message is clear: the opportunity to grow and expand food production in the region is now in their hands. [DPI]