Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha has committed to immediately examining and following up on concerns raised by livestock farmers along the East Coast of Demerara, as the Government continues to work with farmers and other stakeholders to remove constraints on agricultural production and strengthen the livestock sector.
The Minister made the commitment during an engagement with livestock farmers on Wednesday, where producers highlighted several challenges affecting their operations and sought the Ministry’s intervention and support.
Among the key concerns raised were the availability and accessibility of suitable pasture lands for cattle farmers, drainage and irrigation challenges affecting agricultural areas, and the need for suitable and properly managed facilities or designated areas for the safe and hygienic drying of fish.
Minister Mustapha said the concerns raised by farmers are important and require practical solutions, noting that the Ministry will engage its technical agencies and other relevant stakeholders to determine what interventions can be implemented.
On the issue of pasture, the Minister said the Ministry will work with relevant technical agencies, local stakeholders, and farmers to identify areas that can potentially be developed or used to provide additional pasture for cattle producers. He explained that, in the coming week, a team from the Ministry along with farmers will visit identified areas in Enterprise, Mon Repos to Buxton, and La Bonne Intention to Diamond. Once these lands are available, Minister Mustapha said the Ministry will carry out infrastructure works to establish pastures for livestock farmers.
Speaking directly about the established pasture at Lusignan, Minister Mustapha said the Ministry will also carry out rehabilitation works to develop the area so farmers can use it.
He said the process must also include proper technical guidance to ensure that pasture areas are appropriately managed, maintained and utilized in a sustainable manner. The Minister noted that access to adequate pasture is critical to the productivity and expansion of the cattle industry, particularly as farmers seek to increase herd sizes and improve livestock quality.
Minister Mustapha also highlighted the Government’s continued investments in the livestock sector, pointing to initiatives aimed at improving breeding, genetics and overall productivity.
These include improved breeding programmes, the provision of breeding bulls, artificial insemination and embryo transfer technology, which are being utilized to help farmers improve the genetic quality of their herds and increase production.
The Minister said these interventions form part of the Government’s broader strategy to modernize the livestock industry, improve the quality of locally produced livestock and create greater opportunities for farmers to expand their businesses and benefit from growing market demand.
He further assured farmers that their concerns relating to drainage and irrigation will be examined immediately by the relevant technical agencies. While responding to concerns raised, Minister Mustapha said all of the canals in the area will be desilted to ensure effective drainage and better access to irrigation.
Minister Mustapha said technical teams will assess the areas identified by farmers and determine the interventions required based on the specific conditions and needs of those communities. He stressed that effective drainage and irrigation remain essential to agricultural production and to ensuring that farmers can maximize the use of available lands.
The issue of suitable areas for the drying of fish was also raised during the engagement. Minister Mustapha said that the Ministry will work with NICIL to identify an appropriate area so that the producers can be facilitated with safer and more suitable spaces for the activity.
The Minister emphasized that the Government’s approach is not only focused on responding to challenges after they arise, but also on working proactively with farmers to identify constraints and develop solutions that can support increased production, productivity and investment in agriculture.
“We have to continue listening to our farmers and addressing the challenges they face. When farmers raise concerns, we must examine those concerns and determine what can be done to provide practical solutions,” Minister Mustapha said.
He assured farmers that the Ministry will maintain engagement with them and the relevant technical institutions as the identified issues are followed up.
The Minister said stronger collaboration between farmers, Government agencies, and other stakeholders is necessary to ensure the agricultural sector continues to grow and that producers have the support and infrastructure needed to increase production.
The engagement forms part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s ongoing efforts to engage farmers across the country, identify constraints affecting agricultural production and implement measures to strengthen the sector, improve farmers’ livelihoods and enhance food production and food security.
Minister Mustapha reiterated the Government’s commitment to working closely with farmers and ensuring that issues raised at the community level receive the necessary attention and are advanced through the appropriate channels for action.
