Agri sector’s global attention warrants developing of value-added goods – Minister

Guyana’s agriculture sector is garnering attention on the global stage, but this calls for the development of more value-added products using local produce to supply export demands.
This position was shared by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha at the commissioning of equipment and machines valued in excess of $37 million for the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC). This addition is geared at strengthening the corporation’s capacity to deliver services to farmers and other stakeholders across the sector.

After coming out of a successful Agri Investment Forum and Expo back in May, the Agriculture Minister has relayed that Guyana is now attracting attention beyond the region. Taking this factor into account, he noted that there is need for more value-added products.
“I think Guyana is attracting attention not just regionally but globally. Many persons would say Guyana is attracting attention globally because of oil and gas but today, the agriculture sector is taking the region by storm. We are moving forward to ensure that we have food security. If we have food security, then the GMC has a very important role to play, and that is to ensure that our farmers’ produce is developed into value-added products.”
In 2001, the GMC established the Central Packaging Facility – Sophia to prepare produce for export and enhance its services to farmers. A number of agro-processing facilities are being created across the country to decentralise these opportunities.
“It was built for farmers to bring their produce to the urban areas and many farmers in the regions were denied the opportunity to add value to their produce. As a Government and a commitment that was made by the President, that we should ensure that we deliver to farmers, deliver the resources equally around the country, develop the skills of farmers, you will notice over the last 20 months, we have seen a marked improvement in agro-processing across the country.”
The Agriculture Minister added that farmers are now interested in adding value to their produce.
“Today as a Government, we are driving the agricultural food agenda. Our President is leading excellently in that field so much that the entire Caribbean is looking forward to Guyana for its leadership. While we are developing our sector, other countries are also looking forward to us,” said Mustapha.
Guyana is working with countries like Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and others to support and grow their respective agricultural sector.
“We are having requests from many other countries in the Caribbean like St Vincent, Suriname and other places to lead the process. We are also interested to ensure that we develop our sector and move it to different stage in development. That is why we are increasing budgetary allocations in the last three budgets we have passed,” he added.
When the PPP/C Government left office in 2015, the allocated budget for the sector was about $18.5 billion. After returning to Government in 2020, it was found that this number had dropped to $11.5 billion. With continued increases in three years, the sector budget is now $28.5 billion. (G12)