Project Overview
OVERVIEW
The agricultural sector is expected to make a significant contribution to national goals related to improving the standard of living for all Guyanese, in particular for disadvantaged communities and individuals. The contribution by priority subsectors - fruit, vegetable, livestock and aquaculture - is constrained by low production and productivity; absence of quality standards; limited research and access to technology support services; poorly maintained drainage and irrigation infrastructure; access to credit by small farmers; and inadequate access to farming areas suitable for crop diversification. The project is a part of a Government of Guyana (GOGY) programme to address these constraints. The project is aimed at improving access to farmlands, and farmers’ access to technical support services; and creating a more enabling environment through the strengthening of key institutions.
The project will directly benefit over 1200 farming households and 4,400 individuals in the disadvantaged communities of Buxton, Ithaca, Mocha and Triumph; and includes:
• Rehabilitation of drainage and irrigation systems and access dams in Regions 4 (Buxton, Mocha and Triumph) and 5 (Ithaca).
• Institution strengthening of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority, President’s College, and the National Agriculture Research Extension Institute.
• Technical assistance to 4 selected communities, as well as the provision of fruit crops planting materials, small farm implements, livestock, and inputs.
• Procurement of heavy equipment for rehabilitative works on canals, drains and access dams; performance of the rehabilitative works; and construction of a pump station for the discharge of excess water during or after storm events.
• Purchase of small farm equipment such as power tillers for land cultivation.
