$60M in vehicles handed over to NAREI for CFF surveillance

Over $60 million in vehicles were handed over on Tuesday to the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) to strengthen extension services and enhance the monitoring, surveillance, and control of the Carambola Fruit Fly (CFF).

The fleet comprises five pickup trucks, six ATVs, and 12 motorcycles. The vehicles were procured under the Agricultural Infrastructure Development Programme (AIDP), financed by the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF).

The investment will support the strengthening of Guyana’s national CFF surveillance network, allowing NAREI officers to conduct trapping programs, field inspections, and regular monitoring, particularly in major fruit-producing areas. It will also improve extension officers’ ability to engage farmers and communities and respond more effectively to agricultural issues in the field.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha urged staff to ensure the vehicles are properly maintained and used for their intended purposes in the effective execution of their duties.

Strengthening surveillance and early detection of the CFF is critical to protecting Guyana’s fruit production, farmers’ livelihoods, food security, and access to agricultural export markets.