AGRI Min Engages BV/Triumph Farmers to Boost Agricultural Development

December 4 2024 – Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha recently held a meeting with residents and farmers from the Beterverwagting/Triumph area on the East Coast of Demerara to discuss strategies for enhancing agriculture in the community. This engagement followed a community outreach led by Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo.

During the meeting, Minister Mustapha assured farmers that the government is prepared to implement initiatives aimed at stimulating agricultural production in the backlands of the Beterverwagting/Triumph area.

Highlighting the importance of innovation, he announced plans to provide members of the Beterverwagting/Triumph Community Development Council (CDC)—which includes a significant number of youths and women—with training in smart agriculture techniques. These include shadehouse cultivation and hydroponics.

The Ministry of Agriculture has committed to meeting with farmers in the coming week to develop a comprehensive agricultural program tailored to the area’s needs.

In addition, several youths and single mothers from the community are set to benefit from the ministry’s ongoing Black Giant Chicken programme. Initially, 20 individuals will receive Black Giant chicks in the upcoming week, enabling them to start small-scale poultry farming operations.

Addressing infrastructure challenges, Minister Mustapha committed to upgrading the access dam and clearing the drainage and irrigation channels in the cultivation areas, ensuring farmers can more efficiently utilize their lands.

These initiatives aim to empower local farmers, foster innovation in agriculture, and support community members in building sustainable livelihoods, further aligning with the government’s vision for agricultural development across Guyana.