Israeli firm to invest US$15.7M in hydroponic project in Guyana

The Government of Guyana has, through the Ministry of Agriculture, on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Israeli company KARLICO INC., making way for the development of a massive project in regard to hydroponic production in Guyana.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha had last October disclosed that Government was in talks with investors from Israel, who have expressed an interest in developing a large-scale hydroponic project in Guyana. With climate change having a great impact on traditional agricultural practices, hydroponics and other forms of smart agriculture are gaining popularity within farming communities across the country.
While speaking with reporters at the time, Minister Mustapha had said the Israelis were among several investors who had expressed interest in setting up hydroponic systems in Guyana. He had also indicated that the hydroponic project would be integrated into the current shade house project that is currently ongoing on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).
KARLIGO INC’s team of local and international experts are said to specialise in the development, financing, construction and management of agricultural and agri-tech projects. With an estimated investment of US$15,750,000, the project would involve a three-phase hydroponic production system based on nutrient film techniques and soilless production systems designed for the production of fresh herbs, lettuce and other leafy vegetables, as well as other high-value crops.
The first phase of the project, expected to be completed three months after the necessary groundwork has been completed, would see the company setting up a 2,000-square-metre, state-of-the-art hydroponic system which would include a cold room, packaging facilities, harvesting equipment, irrigation controllers, fertilizer mixers, water recycling system, and emergency water storage, among other things.
Phase two would see the construction and installation of an advanced greenhouse system, while phase three would involve construction of a regional distribution centre where a variety of agricultural and food products would be collected, processed, packaged, and delivered to both local and international markets, meeting all of the necessary U.S.D.A and European Food Safety Authority standards and regulations.
Since taking office, the Government has signalled its intention to work with other CARICOM Member States to lower the regional food import bill. In a bid to reduce the $2.6 billion import bill for cauliflower, carrots and broccoli, His Excellency President Dr. Irfaan Ali had last March launched the Youth Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship programme.
To date, approximately 54 shade houses have been constructed for the cultivation of those high-value crops.