New Airstrip Opens For Agriculture and Tourism in Mahaica, Guyana

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Rice farmers in the village of Mahaica, can now look forward to cheaper operations and bigger yields, due to a brand-new airstrip that officially opened on Wednesday.

Juan EdghillThe 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?”

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 standby for medical emergencies.

ASL is a major player in Guyana’s agricultural support sector, using specialized aircraft to plant seeds, spread fertilizer, and spray crops across vast fields.