Jamaican, Guyanese companies ink partnership at Agri Expo

…Guyana can learn from Jamaica’s agri expertise – NAREI CEO

The final day of the Agri-Investments Forum and Expo saw the signing of an agreement between a Guyanese and Jamaican company, with the Guyana Government noting the value of agricultural experience that Jamaica brings to the table.

The signing was done between Hardware and Lumber (H&L) Agro, a Jamaican company, and Agricultural and Public Health Solutions (APSOL), a Guyanese company. As part of the agreement, the two companies are expected to exchange technical knowledge and experience.
During the ceremony on Sunday, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) Jagnarine Singh, spoke of the storied history of collaboration in agriculture between Guyana and Jamaica.
“This afternoon’s signing of the agreement between a company in Jamaica and Guyana, is a very significant one… two companies coming together, signing a partnership where we can share some experience… Jamaica is very strong in agriculture too. And Guyana too.”
“I hope this partnership goes from strength to strength… the Pesticides and Toxic Chemical Board will ensure that you stay in line, you keep a straight path. And we’re here to support you and wish you all the best,” Singh said.
Deputy CEO of H&L Agro, Olive Downer Walsh in her presentation laid out some of the services persons can expect from her company. According to her, the work they do is important in terms of ensuring the needs of farmers can be met.
“We do an entire range of pesticides… we do livestock items, an entire range that supports it. We have a technically competent team on board. And that drives the reliance… the extension worker cannot reach every farmer. So together, we achieve more in terms of how we are able to collaborate and get out there,” Walsh said.
And in an interview with the media following the ceremony, Managing Director of APSOL, Alvin Parag, explained the areas in which the company is looking to expand and grow through the partnership.
“We’re looking at vegetable seeds. Agri chemicals in general, but like insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, bio stimulants, liquid nutrition, general crop nutrition. We’re even thinking along the lines of climate resilient products, like shade house materials, innovative irrigation systems and equipment as well. Farming equipment. APSOL has a range of products already. It’s just really to complement and grow our range as well.”
It was only this year that the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) had facilitated a visiting delegation from Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) led by Senator and Industry, Investment, & Commerce Minister Aubyn Hill. This delegation meeting was one of the largest Caribbean Private Sector Delegation Missions to Guyana.
Meetings were held in collaboration with key stakeholders of the Government and private sector agencies, with over sixty-nine (69) companies with backgrounds ranging from construction, mining, ICT & cyber security, water management, education, agriculture, financial services and labour, to name a few, being part of this mission.
During the meeting, GO-Invest facilitated meetings with a number of Government offices, along with companies such as the Technical, Vocational, Education and Training, National Data Management Authority (NDMA), Guyana Shore Base Inc (GYSBI), Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), National Insurance Scheme, Bureau of Statistics, Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil), to name a few.
The Jamaica-based GraceKennedy Limited has also been playing a key role in Guyana’s efforts alongside other Caricom countries, to establish a regional agricultural insurance mechanism, along with the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF). (G3)