Farmers’ market introduced to help small businesses

With the aim of kickstarting Guyana’s economy in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesswoman Diane Chin has introduced a new concept – Almond Tree Farmers’ Market – to assist small businesses.
Chin reportedly recognised that many small businesses have suffered as a result of the pandemic and thought that the initiative would bring some ease to the businesses.

“I was like why don’t we do a farmers’ market in Guyana, we have so much to offer. We have so much talent here and so much that we can produce, and because this is a COVID year, it has given people the opportunity to do the things they have always wanted to do”, she said.
The market is expected to run for four Saturdays starting from November 14, until December 5, 2020, from 07:00h to 13:00h, and will be held at Lot 229 Lance Gibbs Street, Queenstown, Georgetown. So far, 48 businesses have indicated their interest.

“Some people wanted to be here so badly that they agreed to share spaces with another, because some business have just a few things, but they wanted an opportunity to present what they have to the public… and with the media that is supporting, then their business is not only here, their business is all the way out there.”
Chin said the market will create a lively community space for the sale of homegrown, organic, repurposed, eco-friendly handcrafted products among other items.
Meanwhile, four of the market’s stalls were given to children between the ages of 8 and 14, as part of Chin’s Encouraging Early Entrepreneurship (EEE) programme. The market also featured live music by local musicians including Drummer Chucky.
The owner of Kraftia’s, Marlloyd Kyte, said “I think this is a great initiative, I must say thanks to Miss Diane for having us here. I love the idea of the farmers’ market… persons are coming out, and I am very grateful for the persons that supported the business today”.
Also, co-founder of Nature Works, Christopher Singh said his company produces eco-friendly utensils and looks forward to being a small change toward big actions.
“I welcome an initiative like this… during the pandemic we had a lot of downtime to ourselves and some of [us] realised that we can do these things. It gives an opportunity for us to meet fellow artisans, craftsmen, and farmers, local producers of local stuff”, he said.
Persons who are interested in being a part of the farmers’ market are asked to contact Sinclair on telephone numbers 697-2463 or 623-7240.