The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) is spearheading the cultivation of 25,000 tomato seedlings which will be allocated to meet the production needs of the Pakaraima Flavours Sundried Tomato Project of Region Eight. When matured, the seedlings are expected to produce approximately 50,000 pounds of tomatoes, NAREI Chief Executive Officer Dr. Oudho Homenauth says adding that this is the first time that the Institute will be venturing into such large-scale production of any type of seedling.
The project was launched in 2017 collaboratively with the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST), and the Ministries of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, and Social Protection. According to Dr. Homenauth, the initiative coincides with government’s green agriculture agenda.
The primary purpose of the initiative is to help transform the economies of the hinterland involved. With processing adding significant value to the seedlings, the project adds value to the crop being produced, resulting in farmers realizing a high return on their investment.
