Transformation of Amerindian Village Economies Progressing - Crab Meat Processing Plant for Region One

Georgetown, GINA, August 11, 2010

Government through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs is increasing efforts to provide the necessary support and interventions that are required in hinterland communities for sustaining livelihood and transformation of village economies.


Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai at a press conference on August 11, 2010, stated that the National Secure Livelihood Programme, a Government initiative currently ongoing in Region One is progressing. The construction of a building in Imbotero will commence later this month to facilitate a crab fattening processing plant. The facility will enable the processing and preservation of frozen crab and crab meat.

The crab meat will be well packaged but in the initial phase of the plant will be provided in shells. However, the project will be extended in the future to provide meat that will be packaged to meet local and international standards.

Other plants to facilitate processing of cassava and ginger will begin shortly as part of the livelihood programme. The programme not only seeks to expand production of the locally grown produce but also processing of value added products from the local produce thereby extending the shelf life of the products.

According to Minister Sukhai the support that these communities is being given both now and in the future will enable them to make available to the international market products such as ginger powder, ginger concentrate, passion fruit concentrate and cassava by products such as casareep.

The National Hinterland Secure Livelihood Programme is an initiative of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs in collaboration with the Voluntary Services Overseas International (VSO) aimed at addressing the challenges of economic development in Amerindian villages and hinterland communities.

The programme is being rolled out as a pilot project in 15 communities in Region One and is a form of economic diversification which provides employment opportunities, food security and generates income.

Several communities in Region One including Tobago, Hobodai, Hotoquai, Arukamai, Kamwatta, Whitewater and Wauna are being monitored to ascertain the progress of the projects.

Catching crab is one of the major economic activities for residents in Imbotero since the environment is suitable but the crab fattening technique being employed is new.

Minister Sukhai highlighted that the continued success of the project in Region One will chart the way for other communities to benefit from the National Hinterland Secure Livelihood Programme.