For miles, acres of rice fields and farmland greet the main access road along the Essequibo Coast, serving as testament that the region is an agricultural powerhouse. Generations have thrived off of the lands and continue to do so despite the challenges posed by market access and, more recently, climate change. However, with natural wonders beyond the farmland, the region is looking to become a powerhouse of a different kind—tourism.
Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva is among those pushing for the region to be developed as the country’s next eco-and agro-tourism destination. “We are known as an agricultural region. We are famous for rice and coconuts from the Pomeroon River. But we have room for improvement in our local economy and tourism is one way we can improve that,” De Silva told Sunday Stabroek.
