By RICHARDSON DHALAI Friday, September 10 2010

WITH Government’s stated intention to invest in the agricultural sector, Briko Air Services Limited founder and chairman Harry Dass, noted that any move to increase food production would require the effective application of fertilisers and pest control measures on the farmlands.

Speaking at the formal opening of the company’s commercial flight school at Camden Base, Couva on Tuesday evening, Dass pointed to the company’s close working relationship with the now defunct sugar company, Caroni Limited and its successor, the Sugar Manufacturing Company Limited (SMCL). He said Briko was well poised to provide the aerial application of fertilisers and other measures.

“As Government moves to increase food production and food security for our nation, there is a need for aerial application of fertilisers and pest control over large acreages. It is only since the closure of Caroni that there has been a lack of maintenance of watercourses and pest control spraying which has led to the population being exposed to a dangerous levels of flooding and subsequent health risks such as dengue,” Dass said.

“With the unstructured and uncertain closure of Caroni and subsequently the Sugarcane Manufacturing Company Limited, Briko has remained in a state of readiness and standby to assist the Agriculture, Health and Energy sectors,” he added.