Boosting agriculture in the North Rupununi

DPI, Guyana, Sunday, November 24, 2019

Remote Indigenous Communities frequently rely on the environment for their sustenance. For Pai Pang, In the North Rupununi Savannahs, this statement resonates with the mostly Macushi-speaking people.

While the 28-household community mostly engage in cattle rearing and farming; it is also of importance, and this is where Minister of Public Infrastructure, Hon. David Patterson, on Saturday, made a significant investment with a donation of agricultural equipment.

“I am very grateful. For the first time we have received agricultural tools, especially like these,” said Toshao of Pai Pang, Kendall Francis.

According to the Toshao, the donated equipment will enhance the cassava, banana and corn peas farms in Pai Pang.

During remarks at the centre for the Pai Pang market that was built in 2019, Minister Patterson stated the handover of a brush cutter, hoes, pitchfork, weed killer machine, cutlasses and other items was done after assessing the needs of the community through a previous conversation with Toshao Francis.

“I am looking to see how I can assist you… For a village like this, agriculture can be one of the top sectors is here,” the Public Infrastructure Minister commented.

He further highlighted that the handover was part of His Excellency, President David Granger’s vision for a Guyana in which Indigenous communities are offered similar opportunities like those on the coastland.

Concerning infrastructural works, Minister Paterson committed to providing zinc sheets to the rehabilitate the roof of Pai Pang’s Health Post. Solar streetlights will also be provided to the community, and it’s neighbouring village, Tiger Pond.