The Ministry of Agriculture has officially commissioned a state-of-the-art model farm at Fort Wellington, Region 5, at a cost of $16.3 million.
This model farm, set to be replicated in every region, aims to promote the adoption of good agricultural practices and modern technologies to enhance productivity for both livestock and cash crop farmers.
The Fort Wellington Model Farm boasts various essential facilities, including a storage room, shade house, cattle pen, composting house, Vermi and thermophilic composting huts, small ruminants pen, and demonstration plots for orchards and high-value crops, among others.
Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, emphasized that these model farms are integral to providing farmers with access to best practices, innovation, and skills.
They also serve as practical learning spaces for students and play a pivotal role in developing the agriculture sector.
Funding for the model farm was provided through the Inter-American Development Bank, facilitated by the Ministry’s Sustainable Agriculture Development Project (SADP).
Lorena Solorzano-Salazar, the IDB’s Resident Representative, hailed this project as a significant milestone for Guyana, applauding the government’s continuous efforts to advance food security through agricultural development.
The IDB representative further highlighted the importance of technology in this new era of agriculture, emphasizing its role in increasing production, income, and environmental sustainability while ensuring the production of healthy food.
As part of the Ministry’s extension reform initiative, similar model farms will be established across various regions to facilitate the adoption of advanced agricultural practices and technology transfer.
This endeavor will benefit a wide range of stakeholders, including cash crop and livestock farmers, nearby schools, and extension officers.