Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Mar 10, 2014 News
By Latoya Giles
The DY Patil Group out of Indian will not be given any more lands once they have not fully developed the area the ministry has already allotted to them, says Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.
Contrary to reports, Ramsammy maintained that more lands have not been allocated. Initially, Patil had requested somewhere around 50,000 hectares, but was only leased 10, 000 by the ministry.
“No one who wants to do mega farming in Guyana will ever get what they ask for in one shot” the Minister noted.
According to Ramsammy, the investors will have to demonstrate that they can use the land and until they are using that amount the ministry will not release any more lands.
“I am not doubting that when these people come that they could develop the lands but taking virgin territory and converting it into actual agriculture land and building the infrastructure- canals, dam, water shed, etc takes a lot of money and is slow going” the minister posited. This he maintained is another reason why they would not give more lands if there isn’t any progress.
Back in November Ramsammy had debunked reports that special consideration was given to the DY Patil Group. He had also denied that there was any relationship between the Patil group and Surendra Engineering.
Surendra Engineering is the company which was given the contract to build the Specialty Hospital, at Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara. They also constructed the Enmore Packaging Plant.
In terms of the vetting process, Ramsammy said that at least 14 groups had submitted proposals to the Ministry even as he confirmed that there is no tender process out.
According to Dr. Ramsmmy, Guyana has three million hectares of agricultural lands that have no infrastructure and as such both local and international investors have been invited to help develop the land.
He explained that the persons submitting proposals would ask for various ‘things’ which the Ministry would consider.
“Based on those proposals we would sign Memorandum of Understandings to develop more details and to develop feasibility studies. The first was given to Santa Fe in Region Nine.” Ramsammy told Kaieteur News. According to the Minister, that group had asked for 10,000 acres of land and has developed a plan for 30,000. As such they have since been given an additional 20,000 acres.
“That group is growing rice, soya, corn and cassava,” the Minister said. The DY Patil Group has presented a proposal to grow corn, sugar cane and biodiesel.
The DY Patil Group has begun the process of cultivating 10,000 hectares of land in the Canje Basin for agricultural-related projects.
Dr. Ajeenka DY Patil is part of the Patil group which is a major Indian Company that has signed an MOU with the government. The projects being undertaken by the group would include dairy processing, rice milling and processing, fisheries and poultry, fruit and vegetables and sugar cane production with ethanol and power.
Dr. Patil, on his official website is quoted as stating that investing in Guyana “is a financially viable and potentially profitable proposal for investors in the region due to the global growth in demand for agriculture produce.”
“The region [Guyana] is unexploited and is economically robust and politically stable. It will improve the quality of life of the average Guyanese citizen and increase the economic vitality of the country; all of this backed by the experienced management of the Ajeenka DY Patil Group,” Dr. Patil said.
Dr. Ajeenka Patil, besides being a business investor happens to be Guyana’s Honorary Consul in Mumbai, India.
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
Apr 19, 2024
SportsMax – West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews delivered a stellar all-round performance to lead her team to a commanding 113-run victory over Pakistan Women in the first One Day...Kaieteur News – For years, the disciples of Bharrat Jagdeo have woven a narrative of economic success during his tenure... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]