Improved access to massive farmlands with $261M Ituni/ Tacama road works

The rehabilitation of the main access road in Ituni/ Tacama in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) is expected to improve access to thousands of acres of farmlands, including those lands used in the cultivation of soya beans and corn.

On Wednesday, the $261 million contract for the rehabilitation of this road was signed between the Ministry of Agriculture and Castilho Engenharia Inc. The project falls under the purview of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said that these road works are part of the ministry’s remaining work programme for this year.

“We are coming to the end of the year and you are the people who we depend on to execute these works.

“.. You must ensure value for our money,” the minister stated.

Importantly too, he explained that these road works will aid the ministry’s plans to expand agricultural production. He pointed to the successful trial of the soya beans and corn in the intermediate savannah region.

Earlier this year, President Dr. Irfaan Ali said that this project, which will provide animal feed for the poultry industry, is a promising one that would be replicated across Guyana.

Meanwhile, contracts were also signed for equipment to be used in agro-processing facilities in Fort Wellington and Watooka, and for expansion and maintenance works at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). Altogether, these three sets of contracts total $398.1 M.