Govt is proud of your achievements – PM tells Region Five at launch of RACE

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DPI, Guyana, Friday, September 28, 2018

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo today affirmed to scores of Region Five residents who flocked the Paradise Community Centre ground that the government is proud of their numerous achievements.

The Prime Minister was at the time addressing the opening of the Region Five Regional Agriculture and Commerce Expo (RACE) held under the theme ‘Sustaining a green economy through food security’.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo highlighted that the huge region contributes to 48 per cent of all the paddy produced, 50 per cent of rice, 28 per cent of pork, beef and other meat, 12 per cent of coconut and 2.5 per cent of fish.

“We are ready for the international market and we must not fall in the trap of depending on imports; instead local products must be exported. This region is carrying out a mission and it must be able to make Guyana green and build a sustainable environment,” the Prime Minister explained.

He stated that food production leads to “job creation and job creation leads to wealth creation.” He advised the gathering to refrain from waiting and depending solely on the budding oil industry, but rather start preparing and focusing on expanding the agricultural sector.

Regional Executive Officer (REO), Ovid Morrison explained that RACE is designed to expose citizens to the scientific approaches in agriculture and to allow farmers and manufacturers to advertise their products and services and expand their customer base. The REO opined that the region could be the driving force in food development and marketing.

Some scenes from the opening ceremony

Some scenes from the opening ceremony

Some scenes from the opening ceremony

Some of the children who sat on bleachers observing the event

Minister of Social Protection, Anma Ally cuts the ribbon to declare the Region Five Regional Agriculture and Commerce Expo, RACE. She is surrounded by Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton [left] Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings [second left], Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo [second right], Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo [right] and school children

Some scenes from the opening ceremony

Meanwhile, President of the Region Five, Chambers of Industry and Commerce, Imran Sacoor said the theme of the event speaks volumes to the potential of agriculture in the region.

He underlined that the economic backbone of the region lies on five main forms of agriculture namely rice, sugar, cattle, cash crop and fishing.

Sacoor highlighted that from the 250,000 available acres of farmlands in Guyana 122,000 is in Region Five. This, he said, has seen the region contributing 48 per cent of the amount of rice and paddy in Guyana. The Blairmont Sugar Estate is functioning well and the best fish is found in Region Five, Sacoor boasted.

According to him, along with the successes, there have been some challenges, however, he noted that “if we address these challenges we will create jobs, deliver the good life and bring prosperity to Guyana.”

There were over 10 booths that showcased various products and services in the agricultural sector including an art and craft booth by residents of Paradise.

Also attending the opening of the RACE expo were Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings and Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan.

Ranetta La Fleur

Image: Jameel Mohamed