A $10 million meat processing centre at Sawariwau Village in the Central Rupununi is nearing completion and is expected to provide a market for livestock farmers while creating employment opportunities in the community.
According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), the facility, which is 99 per cent complete, was financed through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs’ capital allocation and is intended to improve livestock processing in the Region Nine village.
Speaking to DPI yesterday, Toshao Bernardine Fernandes said the project marked a significant development for the community, which he said had benefited from sustained government investment over the years.
He said the meat centre would primarily process and sell beef, which accounts for about 90 per cent of the village’s meat production, while chicken and mutton would also be available.
Fernandes said the facility is expected to create jobs for young people, particularly women, while providing cattle and sheep farmers with a more reliable market for their livestock.
He also said the investment was important in light of the challenges climate change poses to food production and would contribute to strengthening food security in the village.
According to Fernandes, farmers have traditionally had little bargaining power when selling their livestock to outside buyers. He said the meat centre would allow producers to process and market their own meat within the community, giving them greater control over pricing and improving their returns.
DPI said the project builds on previous investments in the village, including the establishment of a village shop through a Presidential Grant.
Fernandes also welcomed what he described as continued government support for the community and thanked the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs for financing the project.
When completed, the meat centre is expected to improve access to fresh meat for residents while supporting economic activity in Sawariwau Village.
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