The National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) will begin soil tests in the Pomeroon this week as part of its ongoing project to help farmers boost production.

A press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said the tests are being done under the soil characterization project, which started last July and which is funded at a cost of about US$30,000 through the Poor Rural Communities Support Services Project. The project is being done in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) and Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara).

NARI Director Dr Oudho Homenauth said the soil tests have already been completed in Region Three. The process involves site visits and collection of soil samples, which are taken to NARI’s Laboratory for analysis. The tests in Region Two are scheduled to be completed within the next month. All of the data gathered will be put into a database and analysed. The technical information will then be provided to farmers to aid cultivation practices. GINA said soil maps will also be developed and made available to interested stakeholders, including investors, since the information will advise them on the feasibility of proposed cultivation activities.

GINA said NARI is also pursuing other activities including the promotion of advanced technology such as drip-irrigation (the slow application of water to soil through small openings) and tropical/green house which creates the ideal conditions for cultivation. NARI has also been promoting the cultivation of crops which are in demand on the international market, such as bull-nose pepper and a variety of squashes. These activities are being carried out in collaboration with the new Guyana Marketing Corporation. GINA said these activities are all part of government’s initiatives to develop the agriculture sector which contributes more than 30% to the gross domestic product.