Georgetown : Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy says many of the hinterland residents depend on cassava for not only food security, but for a livelihood. “I am happy to report that the Guyana farine which is almost exclusively produced in the hinterland is becoming popular outside of our borders. Whilst Brazil, for example produces it own farine, Guyana’s farine is becoming a niche market in Brazil”. He added that the locally produced product is now gaining attention in the Caribbean market. This provides an opportunity for the semi-industrialisation of the cassava industry and this can move the crop’s production from a subsistence level to an actual industry.
Farine production is traditionally done by indigenous women, who use their hands to harvest cassava, clean, peel and squeeze the tuber to produce the product. The Agriculture Ministry has assisted several communities by providing grinders to ease their task, said the minister, but this new move takes that assistance a step further
The crop gives farmers an average of two tonnes per acre according to the minister, but it is normally grown nine to ten months annually. There are varieties of cassava that can result in yields of up to 30 tonnes annually, but if farmers can double their production they can also double their income without additional investment or work.
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