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US$94,000 Agri- enhancement project launched in Mara
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker, on Monday commissioned the US$94,500 Mara Agricultural Enhancement Project (MAEP) at the Ma- Retraite Scheme, East Bank Berbice (EBB)
Part of the gathering at the commissioning ceremony
Community Centre.
The commissioning was conducted in the presence of scores of residents and farmers. He was assisted by Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Collin Croal; Dhanraj Singh, National Co-ordinator; Olaf Fontennelle, Regional Programme Manager and Satya Dayaram, Local Development Officer.
Also present were City Council officials of the City of Toronto.
Mara is the furthest village down the East Bank Berbice road corridor. It is just one of many farming communities in East Bank Berbice.
The programme was implemented by the Mara Farmers’ Association in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, the East Berbice/Corentyne (Region Six) – Regional Democratic Council; Mara Community Development Council, Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Caribbean Local Economic Development Project (CARILED).
CARILED is a six-year programme launched in May 2012. It is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, Canada, which was formerly called the Caribbean International Development Agency (CIDA).
Implementation was carried out by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) in partnership with the Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities (CALGA); the Caribbean Forum of Local Government Ministries (CFLGM) and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF).
Among the areas to benefit from are, training for farmers in new production techniques; small- farm management; post- harvest handling of crops and the provision of a mini- excavator which will enable farmers in installation and maintenance of drainage canals in the area.
Whittaker, while delivering remarks alluded to the days when Guyana was the well-known ‘bread- basket of the Caribbean’, a time when Guyana produced the seven ‘C’s, – cassava, corn, cocoa, coffee, coconut, citrus and cattle. These were the main export products.
“Guyana is blessed with significant natural resources. The new project aims at mechanizing and improving technology that is used to assist in quality production, so that you can be competitive in the national and international market,” the official said.
The Mara Farmers’ Association building at Ma-Retraite Scheme, E.B.B
“As I join with you in supporting the efforts of the Governments of Canada and Guyana, I want to remind you that once you can deliver quality goods at affordable prices, you will remain in business.There is a need to provide goods that consumers want, at fair prices,” he said.
Also present at the function was a Councillor of Toronto, Mr. Michael Thompson who elaborated on the benefits of partnership.
“It is important for you to know that our collaboration helps you to be more productive, and enables you to develop your expertise, which you can transfer to other [agricultural] ventures,” he added.
Director of CARILED, Alix Yule, said, “Volunteers from Canadian municipalities come to the Caribbean to work with your people, and to help you to attain your goals within your communities. The Mara Farmers’ Association has done well to overcome the many challenges and be able to embark on a new vision.”
Acting Region Six Chairman, Bhupaul Jhagroo, appreciated the implementation of the project. “My only regret is that this project has come on stream after a number of farmers have abandoned their community … I hope they will return in the near future and re-develop their (farm) lands,” Jhagroo added.
“I want to commend CARILED and the Ministry of Local Government for this venture.”
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