President ‘talks up’ shade house farming with Hague residents

President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced a series of interventions for residents of Hague Backlands, West Coast of Demerara. During an engagement with the community on Sunday, the President highlighted plans to improve agriculture and infrastructural development in the area.

Speaking to residents, he said that the government is ready to collaborate with farmers to start a shade house project to boost the production of high-value crops such as tomatoes, sweet peppers and celery. The aim of this project is to help generate additional income for families.

He also pointed out that the Agriculture Ministry will provide training, farming materials and other technical support to those in need. Explaining the process of the proposed project, Ali said that if 10 acres of pasture land are used, 40 shade houses can be created, noting that four shade houses can be constructed on each acre.

Explaining why the shade houses will be more beneficial to farmers in terms of generating income, the President added that one shade house would generate more income than five acres of open land in some cases.

The President also stressed the need for farmers to create optimal business models for this project. He highlighted that the government will have to develop a way to consult with farmers, urging that if they work together, they can achieve maximum benefits from the project.

“You have to come together… If we bring 200 farmers with 10 acres each, that is 2,000 acres of land. We can then form a committee, and you will have to work together,” he said.

Among other interventions mentioned are the clearing and empoldering of approximately two acres of land for small-scale farmers. Speaking on infrastructural developments for the area, the President highlighted that there will be increased road accessibility and proper drainage and irrigation systems implemented.

He highlighted that it is the government’s intention to make all the dams within the area crush-surfaced before production from the proposed projects begins.

“We have advised the engineers to build the roads with shoulders so that we could put the drainage at the side of the shoulders. All the dams need to be fixed before production begins.”

Among other plans listed for the area are the installation of streetlights, the construction of a new health centre and a recreational facility (ballfield). A team is expected to visit the community today to design the blueprint for the health centre.

Farmers gathered at the meeting with the President