Rice farmers in Handsome Tree, Mahaica, can now look forward to cheaper operations and bigger yields, thanks to a brand-new airstrip that officially opened on Wednesday.
The US$2 million project is expected to transform the way farmers work, slashing costs and boosting productivity for the region’s dominant rice industry.
“It’s all about people,” said Public Works Minister Juan Edghill at the commissioning ceremony. “Every road, bridge, and airstrip must answer one question — how does this make life better?”
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill
Edghill recalled that the plan for the airstrip had been stalled for years but was revived when the current administration returned to office. The green light was eventually given to Air Services Limited (ASL), which constructed the facility under the necessary approvals.
While its main purpose is to serve hundreds of rice farmers, Edghill believes the airstrip’s potential reaches beyond the rice fields.
“Farmers first — but tourism could take off too,” he said. “One day soon, people might fly in for a fishing trip or to spot birds down by the river. It all adds up.”
ASL’s CEO, Captain Tarick Ramnarace, said the company is already partnering with a local tour operator to tap into the area’s natural beauty.
“This airstrip unlocks the backlands,” Ramnarace explained. “We’re talking fly-in tours, rivers, wildlife — there’s so much here for visitors to see.”
An aircraft will also be stationed permanently at Handsome Tree to handle farm work and stand by for medical emergencies.
ASL is a major player in Guyana’s agricultural support sector, using specialised aircraft to plant seeds, spread fertiliser, and spray crops across vast fields.
ASL’s CEO, Captain Tarick Ramnarace
For farmers like Amernuth Kiraitpal, a veteran rice producer and community leader, the airstrip is nothing short of a game-changer.
“This is huge for us,” Kiraitpal said. “We’ve got cash crops, cattle — but rice is king here, and this makes rice work easier.”
With farm labour becoming harder to find, Kiraitpal said the airstrip’s aerial services are arriving at the perfect time.
“Getting workers is tough these days,” he noted. “Now we can spray, fertilise, and plant faster and cheaper. It’s a win for everyone.”
He also credited the government’s wider drive to upgrade rural infrastructure — new roads, electricity, and water services are all part of the change.
“Look at where we were five years ago — and look at us now,” Kiraitpal said. “This airstrip is just the start.”
The post New airstrip opens for agriculture and tourism in Mahaica appeared first on News Room Guyana.
