Tumeric Factory commissioned in Region One

Communities in Region One were given a push towards agro-processing on a large scale basis with the commissioning of a Tumeric Factory at the weekend.

The event was hosted as part of ‘Agriculture Month’ calendar of activities. Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Dr Oudho Homenauth said the factory will utilise turmeric from small farmers in the Region.

In a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency, it was noted that Guyana currently imports 166 tonnes of turmeric each year, but with the factory up and running, it is anticipated that by 2019, it will be able to satisfy local demand and also produce enough product for exportation. The small farmers of the Region, Dr Homenauth said, will be the main beneficiaries of the project. “All money will remain in this Region for the development of this Region,” he said.  NAREI is also making plans for expanding production to include black pepper and ginger and has already planted 50 acres of the former.

NAREI earlier in 2017 had helped more than 50 tumeric farmers from communities of Region One, namely Arukamai, Barima River, Aruka River, Hotoquai, Port Kaituma, Morawhanna, Hobodia, Yarakita, Aruau, Koberimo, St. Anslym, Kachi Kamo, Black Water, Kamwatta, Wauna and White Water with planting materials, technical advice and training.

Also hosted in Region One was the National Tree Day 2017 event which promotes sustainability.

President, David Granger used the opportunity to call on regional and municipal leaders to work with residents to craft a strong, effective agricultural plan, which will guide the process of development in their respective villages and help them to secure a better quality of life as it has the capacity and land space to intensify its agricultural efforts.

The Head of State also said that National Tree Day has a role to play emphasising the importance of agricultural production so that more agro-processing projects can be a reality.  Beyond production though, he noted that the replanting of trees has an important environmental function and called for a Trees Action Plan, which he said, should be implemented by all municipalities so that Guyana can move closer to its goal of a ‘green’ Guyana.

The President expressed his gratitude to Mr. Augustine Solomon, a resident of Hosororo, who plugged his own resources into the construction of the ‘green’ park at the Hosororo Community Ground, where he, along with Minister Allicock, Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Noel Holder and Minister of Communities, Mr. Ronald Bulkan all planted avocado trees as part of the National Tree Day event at Hosororo.

Noting that he would like to see the establishment of a Botanical Garden in every region, the President said that the second aspect of the Trees Action Plan deals with leaving a legacy for the next generation so that they can understand how important it is for trees to not only be planted but protected as well.

Minister Bulkan, in his remarks, noted that his Ministry has been playing its own part and has launched a project, which aims to plant 10,000 trees within the next 36 months all across Guyana. So far, over 1,000 have been planted at five locations across three regions.