Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Saturday inspected the new $1.2 billion Bean Conditioning and Storage Facility being constructed at Kimbia, Region Ten, which is expected to have a storage capacity of 1,500 tonnes.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, the facility will comprise six silos, each capable of storing 250 tonnes. It will also include two wet bins, two dry bins, a warehouse and a processing plant.
In February last year, Stabroek News reported that President Irfaan Ali had announced government support for the development of 1,000 acres at Kimbia for the production of black-eyed peas and red beans. At the time, the government said it was supporting the construction of the $1.2 billion silo facility to store the legumes produced.
Earlier information published by Stabroek News indicated that 2,000 acres had been identified overall for the cultivation of the two crops. Land preparation and the application of limestone had been completed, while 32 of the required 34 kilometres of access roads had been built.
The ministry said that once operational, the facility would provide post-harvest support for the growing bean industry by improving the storage, conditioning and processing of the crops and reducing losses.
It is also expected to support farmers in Region Ten and surrounding communities, encourage increased production and create new markets for locally produced commodities.
Mustapha said modern agricultural infrastructure was essential to ensuring that increased production was supported by adequate storage, processing and marketing facilities.
The ministry said the Kimbia project formed part of the government’s wider drive to modernise the agriculture sector, strengthen food security and open new areas for agricultural development.
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