The Government of Guyana, under the leadership of President Irfaan Ali, is actively pursuing the operational setup of a regional ferry service to strengthen trade links with Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.
The proposed service aims to utilize Parika, a port village in the Essequibo Islands-West region, as its operational hub.
Bolstering local agriculture through infrastructure
During a recent visit to the Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) community, President Ali announced plans for a new processing facility at Bonasika Creek.
This facility is intended to enhance local farmers’ abilities to increase their production of ginger and other vegetables. By improving processing capabilities, the region is expected to bolster its agricultural output significantly.
Leveraging Parika for direct exports
President Ali emphasized the strategic advantage of Parika in the agricultural export landscape.
He highlighted the potential for the community to directly export their products to CARICOM countries, bypassing the need for transportation to distant markets like Georgetown.
The anticipated regional ferry service from Parika is viewed as a critical component in integrating the production from the Essequibo Islands into the wider Caribbean market.
A surge in agricultural production
The Region Three community has seen a notable increase in agricultural production, particularly in ginger, where annual yields have reached approximately 240,000 tonnes.
Additionally, the community has produced significant quantities of other crops, including 50 tonnes of bananas, over 200,000 pounds of pumpkin, and more than 120 tonnes of cassava.
This surge is attributed to the effective use of recent agricultural investments.
Aiming for large-scale production and reduced imports
President Ali expressed satisfaction with the community’s use of agricultural investments to enhance production.
He outlined a vision for moving towards large-scale production, which would not only meet local demand but also extend to the Caribbean market.
This increase in local production is aligned with CARICOM’s goal to reduce food imports by 25 per cent by 2025, fostering greater food security and economic resilience within the region.
