The mined out areas of Kara Kara in Linden, are now considered fertile, following a testing period with technical work done over a period of seven years— from 2002 to 2009.Various stakeholders in the mining town welcomed this good bit of news? during a sensitization programme with officials from the National Agriculture Research Institute. The area dubbed Kara Kara Mines Spoils, was reportedly made fertile, and is now ready for economic agricultural purposes,Wholesale Hockey Jerseys, according to the officials who visited the site.Principal speakers at the brief were NARI Director Dr Oudho Homnauth; Research Scientist at the Soils Division of the Ministry of Agriculture Mr. David Fredericks; and Agronomist attached to Region Ten’s (Upper Demerara/ Upper Berbice) Agriculture Department, Ms Tracey Alleyene.Dr Homenauth,Cheap Jerseys From China, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to develop the mined out area into a sustainable farming programme. “Actually, I am very happy we have reached this stage, in fact it took some time,NFL Jerseys Supply, and it does indicate what the process is, but it does take time.“We know that similar activities are taking place in some other mined out areas in Guyana and this I believe is one of the first attempts to do this kind of thing on a large scale, that is to get areas that have been mined out back into some kind of production and productivity.”The NARI Director, who acknowledged his initial scepticism, said that after visiting the area he questioned the feasibility of continuing with the project.Quite a lot of work had to be done, according to Homenauth. The word included stabilizing the land, and battling erosion.He noted, “We had to do some work on stabilizing, erosion and so forth; that is by planting the vetiver and UF 717. Over the years we have done a number of things on this particular site and we are at the stage where we can now show or demonstrate activities that are feasible.”Dr Homonauth further acknowledged,? “We had difficulties along the way in terms of management of this particular place, but I am very, very happy that the Regional Democratic Council and regional officials are on board with us and I must commend them on this gesture.”He however noted that there is very little that can be done during the El Nino weather that is prevailing.Research scientist, David? Fredericks, posited that a lot of work had been done, and it was therefore time to move on and make the site an economically sustainable one, and illustrate to Linden residents that all the ‘mines spoils’ can be converted into sustainable agricultural areas.He said that erosion is the biggest challenge at the site. Over the years crops such as coconuts, citrus and lime trees were planted. The site reportedly survived two fires after which? the grass subsequently grew back.“That speaks of the resilience of the soil,” Fredericks said.Fredericks added that when the operation is restarted all the citrus that was destroyed in the fire would be replanted.Noting that several groups including school children visit the site, Fredericks opined that what is needed is a more sustainable approach to these visits.Getting the? Regional Development Council on board, as well as the education department is very important in achieving that,Jerseys NFL Cheap, Fredericks said. He expressed optimism that such a move could also be integrated into the school curriculum.Fredericks said that certain practical assignments and SBA’s could be done at the site. Farming practices could? also be demonstrated there, Fredericks added, and pointed to the people at NARI in the Region Ten Farmers Association (RTFA) who have had lots of training within the past two to three years. These people could pass on that knowledge to students as well as residents of Region Ten,Wholesale MLB Jerseys, he said.Students from as far as St Roses High School have visited the site as part of their SBA’s, according to Fredericks.Cashew nut is one of the crops expected to give good yields at Kara Kara, Fredericks said. “We planted about 300 cashew nut seedlings last December; we understand there is going to be some factory cashew nut movement in Region Ten so when it comes, we would already have a sufficient acreage of cashew nuts to start.We are placing a lot of emphasis on cashew nuts on the site.”