标签： Suriname

In the heart of Suriname’s Brokopondo district, what appears to be barren ground covered with bauxite, pebbles, and dry sand belies an agricultural transformation underway just meters away. Here, amidst seemingly infertile conditions, farmers Elvia Asodanoe and Duku have cultivated remarkable plantations featuring diverse crops including pineapple, okra, Chinese tayer, and bitter gourd.

During a field visit this past Saturday, Agriculture Minister Mike Noersalim praised the perseverance of these farmers, stating: “It’s commendable that farmers persist despite all challenges.” Accompanied by Edmund Duiker, chairman of the NOFA Fund, the minister assessed the obstacles confronting local agricultural producers in the interior regions.

Asodanoe, one of the visiting female farmers, expressed ambitions to not only expand her pineapple cultivation but also introduce new crops like soursop and markoosa. She remains confident about receiving necessary support for these ventures. Similarly, her partner Duku seeks to expand fruit production while modernizing his traditional farming methods.

Minister Noersalim clarified that the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV) actively encourages interior farmers to scale production and enhance market access. The NOFA Fund plays a pivotal role in this initiative by providing affordable loans to horticulture and agricultural entrepreneurs. Beyond financial assistance, the fund offers guidance on cooperative collaboration, production consolidation, and market distribution—enabling farmers to market products more efficiently and access both local and international markets.

A significant challenge identified particularly for women farmers in interior regions remains the lack of land titles, which complicates financing applications for expansion. Duiker emphasized that the NOFA Fund specifically targets those engaged in agriculture, livestock, or fisheries, offering substantially lower interest rates than commercial banks. He described the fund as a crucial accelerator for agricultural development, supporting investments in machinery, irrigation, and knowledge transfer to ensure sustainable and commercially viable production.

Noersalim stressed the ministry’s role in giving agricultural entrepreneurs “a push forward” to achieve accelerated development. “Not only planting is important,” he noted, “but we will also stimulate product marketing and processing support in the coming period.”

The ministry announced forthcoming visits to Pokigron to consult with village farmers planning expansion and commercial operations. Both LVV and NOFA urge all agricultural entrepreneurs throughout Suriname to leverage the opportunities provided by the fund.

Six indigenous pineapple growers in Suriname have formalized loan agreements to expand organic pineapple production, marking a significant advancement in strengthening the country’s agricultural value chain. The milestone signing ceremony occurred on Monday as part of the Agrifood Systems Transformation Accelerator (ASTA) Joint Programme, a collaborative initiative involving four United Nations agencies—FAO, UNIDO, UNFPA, and ILO—in partnership with the Surinamese government.

Funded by the Joint SDG Fund and Islamic Development Bank, the program specifically targets sustainable development within Suriname’s pineapple sector. Approximately 90% of pineapple farmers in Suriname are indigenous communities operating collectively owned lands in Para’s village territories. Their lack of individual land titles has historically prevented access to traditional bank financing due to insufficient collateral.

To overcome this barrier, ASTA established a Collateral Facility Fund managed by Trustbank Amanah (TBA), which serves as guarantee security for financial institutions. Roshnie Gangapershad, Acting Agri Business Manager at TBA, explained that loan applications undergo rigorous feasibility assessments before approval.

The Horticulture Innovation HUB, established in 2024 under the ASTA project, provides comprehensive support through two core pillars: enhanced agricultural practices and strengthened agro-entrepreneurship. National agronomist Hemwatie Goeptar detailed the technical assistance process, which begins with thorough agronomic analysis covering field conditions, planting design, and fertilization programs developed in consultation with farmers and village leadership.

Practical implementation is already underway. Farmers Jerry Birambie and Harvey Read from Pierre Kondre have prepared one-hectare plots for soil enhancement and planting. Despite equipment accessibility challenges in remote regions—Jeanne Patra from Marowijne requires machinery transported from Para—the program maintains momentum through adaptive solutions.

Continuous field support remains crucial to the project’s success. Goeptar and field agents assist growers with irrigation, fertilization, and maintenance protocols. The application of artificial flower induction technology enables year-round production, with flowering induced after nine months and harvest occurring approximately fourteen months post-planting.

Additional growers are preparing for expansion. Stuart Makosie from Powaka will commence land preparation shortly, while Cyrell Sabajo from Matta has established an on-site bio-factory for organic fertilizers and natural pesticides following training sessions.

According to Swami Girdhari of the Horticulture Innovation HUB, the project aims not only to increase production but also to modernize the sector and attract youth participation. Innovative digital applications facilitate knowledge sharing, communication, and monitoring. Future phases will focus on processing and value-added pineapple products to enhance market opportunities both domestically and for export.

Suriname’s Production Credit Fund (PKF) has demonstrated significant economic impact in its second year of operation, approving over SRD 41 million in loans that substantially enhanced production capacity and job creation across the nation. According to the fund’s second impact report presented to President Jennifer Simons by the National Development Bank, credit demand has surged dramatically, enabling businesses to expand their production output by nearly 50 percent on average.

The fund, specifically targeting small and medium-sized enterprises, has experienced accelerated activity with credit applications increasing by approximately 63 percent. The average loan size has grown to SRD 1.7 million, reflecting both increased business confidence and expanding operational needs.

Beyond production growth, the PKF has made substantial contributions to Suriname’s labor market. Companies receiving financing have expanded their workforce by an average of 25 percent, with recent projects estimated to create between 63 and 108 new jobs collectively.

While the majority of loans have benefited businesses in Paramaribo and Wanica, districts such as Nickerie, Para, and Marowijne are showing increased application rates. However, the report highlights ongoing concerns regarding regional distribution and gender equity, with female entrepreneurs experiencing lower approval rates.

The fund has identified structural challenges facing Surinamese entrepreneurs, including bureaucratic procedures, land allocation issues, and inadequate financial management systems. In response, PKF has expanded its mandate beyond credit provision to include technical assistance and policy improvement initiatives.

Recently introduced youth credit programs target entrepreneurs aged 18-27, while future priorities include innovation support, enhanced assistance for women and youth entrepreneurs, and strategic partnership development. After two years of successful operation, the PKF has transitioned from pilot project to recognized instrument for economic growth and diversification in Suriname.

Suriname’s Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport (JAP) has unveiled ambitious expansion plans targeting one million annual passengers and construction of a new terminal, positioning the facility as a key driver for national economic growth. The announcement came during the airport’s 30th anniversary celebrations where officials emphasized its strategic role as Suriname’s gateway to the world.

Transport, Communication and Tourism Minister Raymond Landveld highlighted the critical importance of enhanced connectivity and improved service efficiency, describing the airport as “the portal to the global community.” The government is prioritizing strengthening the airport’s operational foundation with focused investments in safety protocols, facility upgrades, and expansion of international routes.

Airport Management Director Vijay Chotkan identified the new terminal construction as a top priority within the Airport Expansion Project. The Commissiedienst Suriname reports that stakeholders have already initiated discussions to accelerate the project, potentially through international tender processes.

The expansion strategy includes increased involvement of local communities surrounding Wit Santi and Hollandse Kamp, ensuring residents benefit from the airport’s economic development. Chotkan emphasized the urgency of rapid development, particularly given anticipated growth in Suriname’s oil and gas sector, citing Guyana’s similar sector-driven expansion and increased international air connections as a successful model.

Both the board of commissioners and trade unions have endorsed the modernization and growth initiatives, characterizing the airport as a strategic pillar for Suriname’s development and international connectivity.