MOAA Hands Over Agricultural Equipment To Region One

- to advance agri-drive

Georgetown, January 27, 2010


As part of Government’s effort to enhance livelihood opportunities in Amerindian communities, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs handed over four cassava graters to Toshao Ronald Adolphus of Black Water Savannah, Region One. The equipment will be used to advance the processing of cassava by the community to make cassava bread, farine and other cassava by-products.

Cassava is one of the main crops grown in the community and is a popular staple of the Amerindian diet. The Toshao had requested for the graters. He expressed thanks to the Ministry for meeting their needs and helping to advance agriculture in his community. Black Water Savannah is a small Amerindian community with a population of 160 persons who will benefit from the equipment.

Project Coordinator, MOAA, Sharon Austin handing over the graters to toshao Ronald Adolphus of Black Water Savannah, Region One

Toshao Adolphus noted that the equipment will be of great help as it is more efficient way of processing cassava since it take less time and a greater quantity of cassava is processed. This, he said, will allow for the women to be involved in other activities.

Handing over the equipment on behalf of the Ministry was Sharon Austin, Project Coordinator. Also present were other Project Officers and Lloyd Adolphus, Senior Councillior of the Community.

The Ministry has been placing significant emphasis on developing agriculture in Amerindian communities to ensure food security by providing communities with agricultural equipment and implements including rice hullers, tractors, ploughs, hoes, shovels, cutlasses and other such tools.

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Region Nine Gets Tractor/Trailer From MOAA

Georgetown, January 27, 2010

With continued emphasis on improving the lives of the indigenous, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs today handed over a John Deere tractor/trailer to seven communities in the South Central Rupununi District, Region Nine.

Toshao of Shulinab, Vibert Ignace accepted the keys to the tractor/trailer from Permanent Secretary within the ministry, Nigel Dharamlall at a simple handing over ceremony.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai said the tractor was procured at a cost of $6.7M and is expected to service Shea, Shulinab, Baitun, Parikwarinau, Potarinau Kattur and Meriwau.

The $1.4M trailer will service the sub-district of Karasabai, which consists of four other satellite communities.

Toshao of Shulinab, Vibert Ignace accepts the keys to the tractor/trailer from Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Nigel Dharamlall while Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai looks on.

Meanwhile, the community of Shea has also received a plough worth $700,000.
Minister Sukhai stated the heavy-duty equipment was purchased with the combined presidential grants of several villages and is essential to the boosting of agricultural production.

“These communities will establish a management committee to determine the management, use and maintenance of the equipment,” Minister Sukhai added.

She said she was impressed by the pooling together of resources in an effort to enhance the transportation service in the communities and add to the communities’ assets in the sub-region.

Ignace thanked the minister for the equipment stating that it will greatly assist the South Central communities in their agricultural pursuits and income generation.

The Toshao will be assisted by a driver in taking the heavy duty vehicles to the Lethem community.

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MOAA Distributes Food Hampers To Region Nine Residents

- to help mitigate El Nino effects

Georgetown, January 07, 2010

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has donated over 1500 food hampers to residents of South Central and Deep South Rupununi, Region Nine to help mitigate the effects of the prevailing El Nino like conditions and to provide relief to the residents.

Food hampers being distributed by Toshao Sigfred Albert of Potarinau to villagers

Thirteen communities were provided with food hampers worth over $3.8M. These hampers were distributed during the period December 29, 2009 to January 4, 2010 by Projects Officers of the Ministry. The communities were selected based on a previous Ministerial outreach by the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai and team from the Ministry and Hinterland Coordinator, Harry Persuad Nokta.

The hampers included a quantity of red beans, rice, sugar, farine and cooking oil. The table below shows the communities that received food hampers and the quantity of hampers distributed.

Communities			Hampers distributed
Achawib			120
Awarewauna			104
Katoonarib			220
Maruranau			123
Nappi			200
Parabara			50
Parikwarinau			64
Potarinau			110
Rupunau			80
Sand Creek			130
Sawariwau			130
Shea			70
Shulinab			100

During the Minister visit to the Region, residents had complained of inadequate food supplies due to the loss of crops as a result of the prevailing harsh weather patterns. Residents welcomed the assistance and lauded the government for providing assistance in their time of need.

Villagers of Parikwarinau and CDO before the hampers were officially handed over

The initiative was a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Amerindian Affairs and Agriculture. The Region is also benefiting from other El Nino relief which was approved by President Bharrat Jagdeo.

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