GUYANA says it’s inviting people from Trinidad to create new farms, hoping the joint effort can help trim the Caribbean region’s US$4-billion annual food import bill.

Guyana Agriculture Minister Leslie Ramsammy says the country plans to set aside 10,000 acres (4,000 hectares) for Trinidadian farmers to cultivate corn, soya beans and legumes. He says land will also be set aside for poultry and dairy farms.

Ramsammy says both governments will publish advisories in upcoming weeks to invite farmers and business owners to invest in the project.

He said Friday that officials will soon begin drafting agreements for land leases.

Guyana has a huge amount of land that can be used for agriculture purposes, according to the CMC.

Outside of the 500,000 hectares that are under full or some cultivation, there is reportedly also the potential for 3.3 million hectares.

Now that the commodities have been identified, appropriate land space would be considered within the next two weeks, Ramsammy reportedly explained.

But he said the project, would in no way affect small-scale farmers but rather provide added opportunities for them.

Maharaj said that the project puts the two countries at the peak of revitalising agriculture in the region.

He said that Trinidad and Tobago would be advertising for agriculture investors, site visits would be arranged, requests for proposals will then be solicited, and thereafter, evaluation would be made by both countries.

Maharaj said he hoped the Trinidadian investors would seize the opportunity because his country has less land available and Guyana offers much more possibilities.

— AP