Agricultural sector benefits from Stakeholders’ Networking Forum

– challenges facing the sector addressed

A Stakeholders’ Networking Forum to promote linkages along the value chain between farmers, agro-processors, exporters and other market players in the non-traditional agriculture sector was held November 2, 2016 at the Regency Suites Hotel, Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

Through support from the Government of Canada, the inaugural Forum was made possible through the Promotion of Regional Opportunities for Produce through Enterprises and Linkages (PROPEL) project implemented by World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Caribbean and the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC).
Among those present at the Forum were Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, Counsellor, Development Cooperation at the High Commission of Canada Jan Sheltinga, Deputy Project Director, PROPEL Munish Persaud, and General Manager, GMC Ida Sealy-Adams along with other agricultural stakeholders and agencies.
During his remarks, Holder welcomed the initiative that brought stakeholders in the agriculture sector together at one forumwhich could lead to tangible solutions to the challenges in the sector.
The theme of the forum, Creating linkages for the development and expansion of market opportunities for local produce, was in keeping with government’s effort to develop a sustainable agriculture sector, he said.
He encouraged participants to find likeminded partners and form linkages to spur the growth of microenterprises and business transactions.
Jan Sheltinga pointed to the need for innovation as a central strategy to tackle challenges and grasp opportunities in a fast-changing world. She thanked the participants for their commitment and continued engagement and highlighted the importance of stakeholders’ involvement to ensure a demand-driven and sustainable development process.
“Canada is pleased to support today’s activity as it is a true representation of the project objectives at work with private sector buyers, producers, business service providers and other market system actors to facilitate the safe, effective and efficient movement of fresh produce from the farm level to high value markets”, Sheltinga said.
The PROPEL project is among Canada’s Regional Development Programme funded under its C$600 million commitment to the Caribbean alongside support to other sectors to promote the socio-economic development of the Region.
Through a sustainable economic growth approach, the PROPEL project is aimed at increasing the value of Caribbean fresh produce accessing high-value markets in the Caribbean and internationally.
The Stakeholders’ Networking Forum provided a framework for greater understanding and a broader commitment to the agriculture sector goals, thus reducing the likelihood of inconsistency among stakeholders, enhancing the efficient use of limited resources, promoting synergy and increasing the impact of the PROPEL project.
The importance of the forum and the support of the activity through the PROPEL project was reiterated by the Deputy Project Director, while Sealy-Adams conveyed her desire for stronger collaboration with partners at PROPEL, the Ministry of Agriculture and the stakeholders as they work together toward the attainment of realistic solutions to grow the agricultural sector and businesses.