The Tobago Hill community will soon reap the first harvest of hassar reared under the National Secure Livelihood Project (NSLP) in Region One, where other projects are also thriving.
“It is going to be a very good day for the villagers,” Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai was quoted as saying by the Government Information Agency (GINA), and she commended Wauna, Tobago Hill residents for their hard work in preparing the fish ponds and caring and growing the fingerlings.
In addition to the hassar project, GINA said other projects being implemented under the NSLP with support from the Amerindian Affairs and Agriculture ministries are also progressing in the region.
The crab fattening farm in the Aruka Mouth is up and running, although crabs are seasonal. A major catch from last season is currently being processed and marketed. Sukhai said the community is very supportive of the venture and particularly in providing a market for the packaged crab meat.
A project for the production of ground ginger powder is also said to be gradually progressing. GINA said although production has been hindered by heavy rainfall, cultivation will continue, since all the equipment for grinding the ginger into powder is available and the construction of the ginger plant has been completed. The plant will soon be furnished with a generator to power the equipment and provide services to any ginger farmer who has crop available for processing, not only those involved in the NSLP.
Also in operation is a cassava processing plant in Yarakita, which allows for cassava to be processed on a larger scale, thereby enabling producers to cater to a larger market.
According to GINA, Sukhai says with continued support from the ministries, including resources and technical assistance, the farmers involved in the NSLP will continue to progress. She also said that an apiculturist from Kingdom Apiary will be working with bee keepers in the Aruka River to help them to secure over 70 hives along the river bank.
The NSLP is being executed in 15 communities and seven enterprises in Region One, GINA said.
