BARBADOS’ MOST SUCCESSFUL entrepreneur, Sir Kyffin Simpson, has made a multimillion-dollar investment in what is being called a mega farm in Guyana. This move is seen as strategic as it diversifies his vehicle and petroleum businesses with high demand agricultural cash crops.
The farm, located in Santa Fe in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region some 231 miles (or 371 km) south-west of Georgetown, will be producing rice, corn, soya, cow beans, guar and eventually moso bamboo trees primarily for export. Already 10 000 acres are being prepared for cultivation and this will be extended by another 30 000 acres as production is steadily increased. Sir Kyffin has the option of tripling this acreage if the venture proves successful.
With the project in its infancy all the necessary infrastructure, such as irrigation, drainage canals and a pump system, is being put in place. Recently a state-of-the-art rice mill with huge silos to store the paddy harvested has been commissioned. And by the end of June the first rice crop comprising 120 acres will be reaped.
Sources indicate that Sir Kyffin who has always had an interest in agriculture was very keen to explore the opportunities that such a venture could bring.
