FOOD FOR THE POOR GUYANA INC PILOT AGRICULTURE CAPACITY BUILDING INITIATIVE AT BARTICA TOWN.

In observance of Agriculture Month 2022, the Food for the Poor (FFTP) Guyana Inc., in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture and NAREI on Wednesday, October 12th, 2022, hosted a presentation Ceremony of Agriculture Implements to Farming Stakeholders of Region Seven at the Bartica Town’s Community Center Venue.

This initiative is being aimed at complementing the Food Security of Region Seven, through boosting the Agriculture capacity and scope,in other basic budding Regional Agricultural Units, towards the collective expansion in the Crop Cultivation of Region Seven.

The Master of Ceremony for this occassion was Mr. Orin Nelson, Project Associate,for the FFTP (Guyana) Inc. Opening Remarks were delivered by the Regional Chairman for Region Seven Mr. Kenneth Williams, where he advocated on the importance of Regional Economic diversification for the Region, through which focus must also include sustainable farming practices, to go along with the Region’s traditional economic activity of Gold Mining.

An Overview of the Challenges of Agriculture in Region Seven, was then delivered by the National Agriculture Research Institute,NAREI’s Regional Crop Extension Officer, Mr. Leroy Bobb. He took the opportunity to highlight on the financial impact of importing Agricultural Produce into the Municipality of Bartica, and how Farmers can also ensure, that Agricultural Produce for the Lower Cuyuni/ Mazaruni Areas of Region Seven, becomes more affordable.

Mr. Kent Vincent , the Chief Executive Officer of the Food for the Poor (Guyana) Incorporated Organization FFTP., then in his Remarks during the Ceremony, also stated that the Organization has established itself in bringing assistance to those in need, and continues to geographically expand on what they are basically doing. He then made reference to the Communities of Region Seven in Eteringbang, which is located on the Venezuelan Border , Itaballi located in the lower Mazaruni River , St Mary located in the Essequibo River and Byderabo located in the Municipality of Bartica. These Communities are all located in Region Seven, Cuyuni/Mazaruni , and have been engaged for a substantial period, in cultivating Cash Crops.

Regional Police Division Number Seven, Divisional Commander Mr. Dion Moore, then during his Address, also endorsed the intended purpose of the Occassion, on behalf of the Regional Police Division Number Seven, he also expressed that through this Gesture, the Region’s Youth Groups are also recieving the assurance, that they are not working alone, he said further, that the Initiative will also assist in the provision of Food Security for the Recipients ultimately. The Regional Commander also highlighted too, that some of Region ‘s Youth Groups are in existence for a substantial period , and definitely will continue with their Skills training, and smart farming Programs. The Regional Commander took the opportunity to further highlight that Guyana Police Force continues to stand committed, to work by the People, and in their best interests.

An appreciation presentation was then done by Miss Nishauna Mc Donald, a Student of the Three Miles Secondary School, Bartica Town.

Agricultural Implements were then presented to the following Farming Stakeholders of Region Seven: Fifteen (15) Cash Crop Farmers of the Municipality of Bartica, ( 2 ) learning Institutions in the Bartica Government Secondary School with the Three Miles Secondary School, and also to Four (4) Youth Groups that are engaged in Agriculture/Cash Crop Cultivation for the past Five (5) Years around the Region.

This Occassion’s Theme of; “Empowering Families and Communities through sustainable Agriculture “ , herald befittingly the intended purpose of this initiative for Region Seven .