Land Clearing Initiative
Stimulating Commercial Farming in Region 10

Agriculture Inputs Needed

The Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP) officially launched Land Clearing support to Region 10 Farmers on 9th March 2006. Approval has been given to fifteen (15) farmers with a total of fifty seven (57) acres. Most farmers began clearing during the last week of June 2006. As a result of this initiative, increased cultivation is expected and these farmers would require agricultural inputs – seeds, fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides etc. For further information please contact Mr. Oswald Quamina, Agricultural Economics Expert LEAP.

The importance of the issue of land clearing was highlighted in the Rapid Assessment of Food Security, Agricultural Production and Food Consumption in Region 10, Vokaty and Associates in April, 2005. The purpose of that study was to determine the types and volumes of food produced in Region 10 and potential for expansion. The study concluded that assistance with land clearing would have an immediate effect on the expansion of cultivation

As a result of this study, LEAP has started a land clearing support initiative for farmers in Region 10.

To maximize benefits four priority areas have been identified in relation to other LEAP inputs currently supporting improved agricultural earnings. Only farmers in these areas will be considered in the first batch.

Priority Areas

Lower Demerara - Speightland and Dalawalla
This sub-region is located some 3 miles in the Lower Demerara from Linden. It has 30 fulltime farmers and a total of over 3000 acres of which 100 is cultivated.

Moblissa
Moblissa is located east of the Soesdyke Linden Highway and stretches approximately 9.7 km off the Linden highway. It has 25 full time farmers. The total acreage is 5235 of which less than 50% is occupied. The farmers in this location are mainly involved in mixed farming

Berbice River - Wiruni, Wikki/ Calcuni and Kwakwani
Agriculture land in this area stretches along the Berbice River in various communities from Kwakwani to DeVeldt. The communities comprises of DeVeldt, Geatroy, Kimbia, Ebini, Eort Nassau, Wiruni and Wikki /Calcuni.
Combine there are over 150 fulltime farmers who are mainly located in DeVeldt, Geatroy, Kimbia and Ebini. There are a number of subsistence farmers in all the communities. Together they have over 150,000 acres. The farmers are involved in crops and livestock farming.

West Watooka
West Watooka farming area is located on the right Bank of the Demerara about one mile south of the Mackenzie/Wismar bridge and stretches over two miles along the river bank It has approximately 103 farmers of which more than 70 % are part time farmers. It has a total of 2,744 acres of which 500 is cultivated.

Approach

The approach is based on an analysis supported by previous studies that a large constraint to land clearing is the lack of farm labour, largely as a result of low income generated by farms and resulting inability to pay labour costs. While the Vokaty study recommended grant or small loan funding for land clearing, LEAP is proposing to co-finance the cost of land clearing with the benefiting farmer. The direct involvement of the farmers is critical since the production chain only starts with land clearing and if the other links are not completed the investment for land clearing will not be justified. The models provided below are estimates; each applying farmer may request less support than the maximum percentages indicated below.

Category 2
LEAP will fund maximum of l00% of labour and 80% operation costs. Farmers will fund 100% of equipment and minimum, of 20 % of the costs of operation.

Category 3
LEAP will fund maximum of l00%of labour, 20% of equipment rental and 70% operation costs. Farmers will fund minimum of 80% of equipment rental and 30%costs of operation.

Selection Criteria

Selection of beneficiary farmers will be on the basis of application submitted and site verification. It will be the responsibility of the applying farmer to ensure that all required documentation and information is supplied when submitting the application. LEAP staff and the Region 10 Farmers Association will be available to assist farmers to complete application forms.

Eligibility

Farmer must supply documents which show the following:
He/she:

1. is currently farming in Region 10.
2. has title, lease or some form of formal standing on the land to be cleared.
3. has farmed for at least 3 years.
4. is currently cultivating an area equal to area to be cleared.
5. currently sells produce cultivated.
6. agree to participate in GAPs sub project
7. agree to supply data and participate in LEAP’s ongoing monitoring.

Impact on Agricultural sector – Income and employment

The clearing and cultivation of an additional 200 acres of land will have significant impact on general agriculture in Region 10. The impacted areas will include labour, income, equipment general agriculture inputs etc.

This will also enable farmers to produce two or three commodities and thus become specialized to some extent.

It will give the farmers an opportunity to capitalize on the shortage of vegetables as a result of the flood situation of the coastal area.

Analysis shows that for a participating farm the investment will yield significant improvement in the farm income. The profits per acre can vary form $150,000 to $300,000 but will be determined by the commodity cultivated. This will increase farmer’s income and thus their standard of living. Two categories of employment will be created -seasonal and permanent employment. Based on the acreage and type of crops forecasted to be planted it is expected that no less that 60 permanent and 150 temporary jobs will be created.