Create right environment for agriculture, agro-processing development – GMSA

– as inaugural “Uncapped” opens to public

The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) has said it is committed to putting in the work and effort that would see the local agriculture sector, and more particularly its agro-processing component, reaching new heights.
The Association has, however, noted that agro-processing would reach new heights only if the right and enabling environment is created.
This statement was made by President of the GMSA, Shyam Nokta, at the opening of the first ever agro-processing fair, dubbed Guyanese Flavour “Uncapped”.

The three day event was opened to the public on Friday and ends today. It served as a venue for an exhibition, market opportunity and food festival.
The exhibition has been geared to target local markets — to help the agro-processors sell their products to more retailers in Guyana, and to help stimulate greater demand for the products countrywide.
According to Nokta, Guyana’s untapped agriculture, and by extension agro-processing potential, has been talked about, the country’s ability to expand and diversify agriculture having been recognised. However, agro-processors are often unable to compete, both at the domestic level and in external markets, as a result of varying issues, particularly the lack of knowledge of locally produced products both here and abroad – something which the event has been aimed at addressing.
Nokta outlined the GMSA’s vision for advancing the local agro-progressing sector, but noted that it can be achieved only through a clear Government policy; by addressing critical barriers; and by creating an enabling environment for investments. “We need to hear from Government!” he declared. “What is the policy on agriculture and agro-processing…? To sustain, grow and expand to commercial viability, there needs to be a clear policy framework for agriculture development and agro-processing,” he stated. Nokta went on to say that among the critical barriers to agro-progressing that need to be addressed are: the availability of affordable financing in a timely manner; the high cost of energy; and the high transport cost associated with moving produce to markets, coupled with untapped technology.
On the latter note, the GMSA President touted the establishment of a centralised agro-processing facility. “This could be built modularly and through a public/private partnership. It has been tried in Guatemala, Belize and other countries with much success. Why can’t we do it here? Just imagine the difference it would make if the farmers from Black Bush Polder or Canals Polder know there is a place where they can take their produce and receive a fair price. This will certainly help to strengthen the economic position of farmers, and encourage stable supply,” he posited.
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, addressing the gathering at the opening ceremony, applauded the initiative and urged the private sector to build a stronger international partnership in order to be successful.
Nagamootoo noted that Guyana is one of the few countries that can boast about a free and independent judiciary, which is also guaranteed independence financially.
“I believe that we need much more of these ideas that could tell politicians in Government that we don’t have a monopoly on ideas, views and approaches that could be taken at any time to change the direction in which we are going, or to improve the context of the approach,” Nagamootoo noted.
Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, said Government and the private sector need to work together in order to build the agriculture sector, and must be able to support cheap financing.
“There is still a lot more that needs to be done. I like to see more together to exploit Guyana trade agreements. We are party to a number of trade agreements that give us nearly 1 billion people around the world for a wide range of products,” Gaskin noted.