CDF-Supported Rural Agricultural Infrastructure Development (RAID) Project taking root in Ithaca
Minister Noel Holder, Minister of Agriculture distributing planting material to farmers at the Buxton location
Guyana’s Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder at the end of January 2019 led a team which included Finance Minister, Winston Jordan to Buxton Village where massive works are being carried out under the Rural Agricultural Infrastructure Development (RAID) programme. The purpose of the outreach was to observe the progress made so far, to meet with farmers and to distribute much needed planting material.
The Rural Agricultural Infrastructure Development Project (RAID) is a US$12M loan project made possible by the Government of Guyana and the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF). The initiative ensures sustainable farming in communities that have benefitted under the project from the construction of secondary drainage, irrigation canals and hydraulic structures, rehabilitation of access dams, clearing of land and the establishment of pasture lands and farm plots.
Minister Holder disclosed that the CDF’s first funding cycle went towards a major road programme to improve access to farms and expand agricultural production by bringing new lands under cultivation behind Parika in Region 3 (West Demerara/Essequibo).
Beneficiaries were assured that the Government will assist with marketing; but were urged to make full and productive use of the land and ensure that the project remains viable long after the funds have been disbursed. Senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, various agricultural agencies and other agencies in Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice), including the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary-Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) and the Regional Democratic Council of Region 5 were among those present at the event.
