A sum of $500 million has been allocated in the 2023 National Budget for the construction of a new abattoir in Region Five (Mahaica- Berbice) and other support projects for the agricultural sector.
The new abattoir, in particular, has been under consideration for a number of years.
The forthcoming facility falls under the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)-funded Sustainable Agricultural Development Programme. And last year, its construction and installation, based on an engineer’s estimate, was pegged at $465.2 million.
Companies were invited to bid for this project last year.
Meanwhile, the $500 million sum also caters for support to farmers in Region Four, Five, Six and 10, and institutional strengthening for sustainable agriculture initiatives.
Overall, the agriculture sector received a $33.2 billion allocation in Budget 2023.