The government is continuing with its investment strategy to spur growth in the agro-processing sector and is investing some $25 million in Region Six in this regard.
The $25 million is being invested to construct, complete, retrofit, and equip, an agro-processing plant in the Indigenous village of Orealla located in Region Six, to produce cassava-based and other processed products, a Department of Public Information (DPI) release stated yesterday.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh who recently visited the village to witness a solar home systems distribution, informed villagers that the facility is expected to be operational before the end of the year.
The Minister referred to President Irfaan Ali’s vision for food security which is to ensure that every village across Guyana specialises in a product that they have a comparative advantage in, and in Orealla’s case it is cassava-based products.
According to the release, the cultivation of cassava is already underway in the village.
Singh expressed the hope that once the facility is commissioned, the village will become a major producer of cassava-based products which will not only be sold in Orealla, Moleson Creek, Crabwood Creek, and elsewhere in Region Six, but nationally. He also told the toshao that he expects to see labels showing Orealla-produced cassava-based cassareep, flour, cassava bread. “… and I am holding you to that challenge”.
In addition, the release noted that the investment by government now affords the village the means to resuscitate the processing of mango and pineapple cheese, a venture the community undertook a long time ago. Also, a similar facility is also being constructed at Crabwood Creek.
The release stressed that such projects are “critical elements” of government’s push for enhanced food security, and posited that by adding value to primary agriculture produce, agro-processing improves household incomes and opens up new opportunities.
“It’s just not a building with a few rooms and equipment; it is a facility through which economic independence can be achieved, incomes can be generated and families and individuals’ lives can be improved,” Singh asserted.
The release also disclosed that Orealla has benefitted from substantial investments over the years, including carbon credit funds, of which $24 million has been disbursed to the village. Projects have already commenced in the village funded from the carbon credit.
In addition, funds provided by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs’ Presidential Grants have allowed the village recently to be the beneficiary of a tractor and trailer along with implements.
The village also received a fully-equipped fishing boat from the government, to aid the local fisherfolk in their daily economic activities, the release added.
