Negotiations for a processing plant in Black Bush Polder are almost concluded, while two pump stations are to be set up.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh and Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha announced the plans yesterday during a series of meetings in the area as they stressed that the government is working to build a strong and diversified economy with investments being made in every sector.
Singh yesterday pointed out that for many years agriculture has been about “primary production” and added that Guyana has not been able to move from selling basic primary unprocessed agriculture outputs to more processed forms “which are the most valued-added forms.”
However, he said that this must be done in an effort to tap into the large market within the diaspora. He then disclosed that there are in conversation with an investor who is interested in building a processing plant in Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder. “We as a government believe very strongly that we must be at a point where we could produce not just fresh fruits and vegetables but also valued-added production; fruit juices, flavoured milk, flavoured juices, etc.”
He stated that in recognition of how important value-added products are, government has emphasised its willingness to work with any private sector group or persons. “So we are already at an advanced stage of a conversation with potential investors in a processing plant, who has an interest in setting up such a plant in Mibicuri with a view to valued-added processing of primary produce into nicely processed and packaged products for which you will get better prices.”
Singh explained that this ultimately means there will be better prices along with bigger markets for farmers. “It means that there is an incentive to plant, cultivate and harvest more, and it means that as a country we will be able to not just sell for the domestic market but potentially these are export-quality products.”
Singh noted that he, Minister Mustapha, and the investor, will return soon to Mibicuri “to conclude the arrangements” after which construction is expected to begin.
Meanwhile, Minister Mustapha yesterday told Stabroek News that they were looking at constructing a packaging plant at Tarlogie, Corentyne. However, they are now looking at a more centralised location between Region Six and Region Five so that residents and farmers of both regions can benefit and make use of the facility.
Residents yesterday were extremely happy about the pump stations, with one noting that this is the first step in regulating the drainage and irrigation water throughout Black Bush Polder.
Mustapha pointed out that while the flood waters in Black Bush Polder have started to recede, the community was one of the most affected areas in the country.
He informed that while the government is working to ensure that persons return to planting and to their savannahs, they will also be setting up “two pumping stations to help boost the system in Black Bush Polder.”
These two projects, he said, will be advertised in the newspapers in the upcoming days.
According to the Agriculture Minister, Lesbeholden will have its own pump station at the head to drain water, “and then we are also looking to have a proper station to do irrigation too.”
He made it clear that while there is a pump station to carry out irrigation for all four of the polders, they are working towards ensuring that “people have maximum irrigation.”
Mustapha observed that during the dry season persons always complain bitterly of not receiving adequate water, “we have to ration the water, we have to sectionize the water and this pumping station that we will put in place will ensure that all four polder receive irrigation water on time.” The Agriculture Minister, who has been on the ground throughout the country, reiterated that the government he represents values the agricultural sector and will not be waiting on the revenue from oil and gas to develop Guyana, “We recognise the importance of agriculture that is why when we got into government last year August you have seen increased budgetary allocation over the last ten months in the agriculture sector.”
Mustapha claimed that over the last five years there has been a decline in the development within the sector, “so much so that we had surrender our position in Caricom to St. Vincent and Grenadines… I am happy to say once again that today Guyana is proudly representing itself and speaking on agriculture matters in Caricom as the lead spokesperson.”
Minister Singh yesterday opined that it was a “disgrace” that the previous government relinquished the opportunity to lead the agriculture sector in Caricom.
Singh echoed that government is working to create a diversified economy which will make Guyana more resilient. “We mean that we don’t want an economy that is dependent on only one product or only one sector.”
