AGRI Min Hands Over Excavators to MMA-ADA

October 14, 2024 – Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, handed over two mini excavators to the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA) recently, during a ceremony at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice.

The excavators, valued at approximately $27 million, were procured under the Ministry’s Flood Risk Management Project.

Minister Mustapha highlighted that the new equipment will enhance MMA-ADA’s capacity to maintain and desilt the internal drainage systems within the MMA scheme, improving flood prevention and management in the area.

In a significant development, two young women trained under the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) programme were employed as operators for the new excavators. Venita Chatergoon, 27, of No. Five Village, shared that she had previously worked as a security officer but saw the BIT programme as an opportunity to gain new skills. After enrolling, she completed the training and is now a certified excavator operator.

Divya Ragbir, 22, also expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to work in the field, noting that the skills she acquired through the BIT programme have led to meaningful employment.

Minister Mustapha emphasized that programs like BIT and the Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme (AIEP) continue to provide critical skills training for young people, opening doors to employment and personal development. These initiatives, he noted, are part of the government’s broader strategy to empower youth and equip them with the tools they need to succeed in the workforce.

The MMA-ADA will integrate the mini excavators into their fleet to improve the efficiency of the region’s drainage systems, addressing a key concern for farmers and residents in the area.

(Ministry of Agriculture)