Fair View Village is getting into the butterfly business.
Last Thursday the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) recently inked a grant agreement with the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) to support Butterfly Farming in the Region Nine community.
The amount is $7 million. This grant agreement aims to support the NRDDB’s project to promote sustainable community-based livelihoods with butterfly production in Guyana, the WWF said in a statement.
The butterfly farm and house, Kawa Amazonica, located in Fair View Village within the Iwokrama Forest will serve as a hub for community-based butterfly export businesses, a training centre and tourist attraction, and are meant to benefit the livelihoods of the communities in the North Rupununi, the WWF said.
The venture is also supported by the Iwokrama International Centre (IIC) as a collaborative partner.
The project follows on the heels of the recently-concluded three-year Darwin Initiative funded project entitled ‘Biodiversity and sustainable development of butterfly production in Guyana,’ which ended in June 2009.
The current project is expected to build on the achievements of the Darwin project which has as some of its main collaborating partners the IIC, NRDDB, University of Warwick and University of Guyana.
At the ceremony, NRDDB Executive Director Vincent Henry noted that it was expected that sustainable utilization of the natural resourc-es will improve the socioeconomic situation in Region Nine and will promote local people’s desire to keep their natural environment intact.
He was quoted as saying that this included a wish to keep the natural environment free of chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers which are common threats in many areas.
The WWF said that the project is considered important to the North Rupununi, where there is a need to conserve local biodiversity, particularly in its wetlands. It said developments in this region are occurring rapidly and the recent opening of the Takutu Bridge and continued improvements of the Guyana–Brazil Road will open the area to various environmental impacts.
“Changes such as these will have ecological consequences for these areas. Many communities are self-sufficient relying on livelihoods such as subsistence farming, fishing, gathering and hunting. However, with increased expectations for their children’s education and increased material needs such as improved non-traditional housing and transport, many young people leave their communities for employment and often engage in activities such as logging, mining or the service industry,” the conservation NGO observed.
The main goal of the project is to improve employment opportunities for interested communities of the North Rupununi by enhancing their capacity to manage their businesses with the sustainable utilization of butterflies. It is expected that the butterfly project can promote an alternative and sustainable livelihood option in the region.
The WWF said that one major expectation to arise from this project is the export of butterfly pupae, which can serve to generate income from overseas markets. It is also expected that the butterfly farming activities here will promote ecotourism and related butterfly crafts in the region.
Give me a break. You will remain in poverty for the rest of your lives. How do you escape the poverty trap rearing butterflies? Put me down as a cynic. How many butterfly farms are in North America and Europe?
Borapork, what you and the other haters suggest instead of the Butterfly farm? and are you willing to fund your idea/project with $7 million or more? Let me know.
God continue to bless Guyana and the ongoing development and progress for all the people.
Have a good weekend folks and buy a poppy and remember the veterans…
do you know what is poppy, and progress is great with butterflies, if this is what you call development, i wiill open an ants farm soon and export them to europe too.
Amen-ra, You are smarter than I thought. Actually, an Ant farm is a great idea, because it is unique and ants produce chemicals that have great medicinal values.
reddy is sounding more and more like a comedian, cant help but laugh…(LOL)
Come on Tiger, you know the man is really trying to sound intelligent how you could dis him like that.
I bet the residents of Fairview Village wish they, like the butterflies, had wings. Then they could fly away from the deplorable state in which the PPP has brought Guyana.
YOU SAID IT. BUTTERFLY FARMS, WHAT A JOKE EH?
Bismattie Ramsawak:
Very Funny. Thank you for lightening up my day. Very gloomy and cloudy where I am today. Typical fall day.
not a problem borapork. i must say i do so enjoy ur bloggs. they are always a good read
Wow, if they don’t try you blame the present government when they try you are a sync and criticize GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!!
In Canada thousands of Butterfly ornaments are imported from Asia, Indonesia, Africa & south America, and I am aware that most of these B/flys are raised in farms for the industry, and also goes to restock the wild, Here is something extremely positive to support a community that is being administered by a international body and we can’t show appreciation , what gives here ????, the people of Fair View have as much rights as anyone else in the world and I will support them with my dollars.
to name three B/fly instructions in Canada , Wings of Paradise in Cambridge , the B/fly in conservatory in Niagara, and the Insectariums in Montreal , take a trip and see what is being done there .
Criticize for the right reasons folks & I will support you!!!!!!!!!!!!
a butterfly farm is a great idea! here is another one: what about an iguana farm? guyanese love iguana meat. also people can export them as pets. shame on you guyanese who always put down your country and ideas for improvement.
I have tried Iguana meat. Delicious! Your ideahas given me food for thought. No pun intended.