Construction of agro-processing facility in Region 2 moving apace

The construction of a state-of-the-art agro-processing facility in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) has commenced and is moving apace.
The project is being constructed to the tune of $60 million in the compound of the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) campus.
Funds for the construction of the facility were part of the Agriculture Ministry’s 2020 emergency budget.

Over the past five years, the agro-processing sector declined by a whopping 45 per cent, but with much effort by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government after taking office, the industry recorded a nine per cent increase in non-traditional exports.
Back in March, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha had stated that several agro-processing facilities would be constructed throughout Guyana with the aim of assisting farmers to add value to their produce.
Minister Mustapha stated that the facility would facilitate farmers to properly package their products and label them so that they could be exported. He also stated that local consumers were also looking for better packaging so necessary investments would be made to ensure farmers could tap into these markets.
The agro-processing facilities will function both for commercial production and product development for small and medium-scale agro-processors.
Meanwhile, Region Two Vice Chairman Humace Oodit noted that the agro-processing facility would assist in optimising resource use, enhancing farmers’ income, widening markets, and providing value addition to national income and employment.
“I see this as a major opportunity for young businessmen where they can be part of in order to assist in improving their business and produce more value-added produce … this facility will somewhat help businesses to proper packaging and labelling of their produce. It will be an encouragement for farmers and businessmen,” Oodit noted.