$360,000 disbursement for Santa Cruz Fruit Farmers

– another promise delivered  

MOIPA: December 27: Twelve farmers from Santa Cruz recently received $30,000 each to commence land clearing, preparation and planting. The farmer will be supplying the soon-to-be established Fruit Factory in the community.

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Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe addressing the residents of Santa Cruz

The aim is to make the village which is located in Moruca sub-district, Barima/Waini, Region 1, one of the most industrious Fruit Juice, Jelly and Marmalade producing villages in Guyana.

Several farmers have already commenced land clearing and preparation.  Among the trees to be planted are cherry, orange, tangerine, lime, papaw, golden apple, guava, soursop, pineapple and banana.

It is estimated that the fruits will be ready for harvesting between eighteen months to three years at which time the factory will be constructed, furnished and fully operable. Production will be done in keeping with international standards.

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe handed over the financial support during a recent visit to the Region.

In her remarks to the farmers and residents of Santa Cruz, the Minister said: “Your Government believes in your village so we are going to help you and to support you and come next year, we will have more money for the processing factory because it will be done in three phases (a three-year project) and we know you will excel because you are hardworking, strong and an enterprising people.”

She underscored the Government’s commitment to making available the necessary support needed to ensure the project is sustained, villagers are gainfully employed, physical and infrastructural development realized and the goal of ensuring food security achieved.

The Fruit Farm will complement Kwebanna’s Cassava Processing Facility, the Santa Rosa Ground Coffee Project both in the Moruca sub-district and the Smith Creek Fish and Crab Processing Facility in the Mabaruma Sub-district all viable economic projects.

Santa Cruz is home to more than four hundred residents who are involved in farming and fishing as their main economic activities.

Meanwhile, scores of children who turned out to the meeting received toys for the holidays.

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Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe addressing the residents of Santa Cruz

 

 

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