Farmers’ market to be held every week until year-end

…aimed at regulating high prices – Agri Minister

In light of climbing prices for produce at the major markets across the country, the Agriculture Ministry will be hosting farmers’ markets every week across the country with the aim of regulating the prices to benefit both producers and consumers.
On Sunday, two farmers’ markets were held – one at the Leonora Track in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and another at the Albion Community Centre in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), where consumers got the opportunity to purchase fresh commodities at affordable prices.

According to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, these events will become a weekly feature, whereby at least two farmers’ markets will be held across the country for the remainder of the year. The regions being targeted are Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three, Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Mustapha explained that the hosting of farmers’ markets was budgeted for in the 2023 budget but the Ministry had some delays in executing these activities. However, heightened efforts were undertaken to facilitate these farmers’ markets after persons have been complaining about the high increases in prices at the markets.
“These [farmers’] markets tend to bring the price to a level where the consumers can afford it and you don’t have any big inflation of the prices. So, I’m hoping that we can be able to control the prices like this across the country so that people, especially the middle men, would not increase their prices and consumers would not be able to [afford it],” the Minister said.
Over the last few weeks, people have been complaining bitterly that the prices of fruits and vegetables as well as meat and eggs have gone up tremendously.
In some markets, one 24-tray of eggs is priced at $2000. However, at these farmers’ markets, the same tray of eggs is being sold at $1400. Meat will also be on sale at affordable prices.
The Agriculture Minister explained that with the farmers’ market, Government is hoping to cut out the middlemen, whom he said are the ones racking up the prices.
“The middlemen are receiving most of the money… They are increasing the prices and because of that, I want our agencies within the Ministry of Agriculture to bring in the farmers [to sell directly]. When the farmers come here, they’re getting a better price for their produce and at the same time, consumers receiving a better price,” Mustapha noted.
Next week, the farmers’ markets will be in Region Two and Four – the latter, at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara.

The following week, this initiative will be taken to Regions Five and 10, after which it will be repeated in the other regions until the end of the year.
“So, every week from now until the year is out, we’ll have these farmers’ market, hoping that we will get the price back to a normal level.”
The hosting of these farmers’ markets forms part of the Ministry’s Agriculture Month 2023 calendar of activities.
Only on Saturday, a Health and Fitness Walk was held in Georgetown by the Ministries of Agriculture and Health.
Permanent Secretary at the Agriculture Ministry, Delma Nedd explained that agriculture sets the foundation for a healthy lifestyle.
“Today is all about fitness. You have to eat well and you have to live well. So, agriculture brings an awareness of a healthy lifestyle,” she stated.
The theme of this year’s observance of Agriculture Month is “Accelerating vision 25 by 2025: Investing in Agri-Business and Food Security”. (G8)