UMAMI to build Agro-processing facility in depressed Black Bush Polder

…MoU signed, construction to begin in six months

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was on Tuesday inked between the Government and UMAMI Incorporated for the construction of a multi-million-dollar agro-processing facility in Black Bush Polder, Region Six, (East Berbice-Corentyne).
Construction on the facility is expected to commence within six months, and once completed, will employ more than 60 persons.
During the signing exercise, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said the Government is keen on ensuring more value-added commodities are produced in Guyana.
“Part of the Government’s agenda for agriculture is to have more value-added products coming out of Guyana. Many farmers are still practicing subsistence farming and this is preventing them from getting the full value of their produce,” the minister said, adding that as a government, “we want to ensure that the necessary facilities are available while assisting farmers to have more monies for their produce.”

With Guyana now playing that lead role in agriculture in Caricom and a task force set up to advance the agri-food system, he added, Government is looking at ways to remove the barriers that are hampering the export of produce to certain parts of the Caribbean. “I think we have a good opportunity, once those barriers are removed, to have our produce exported to other parts of the Caribbean and the world,” Mustapha is quoted as saying by a release from the Agriculture Ministry.
Mustapha further stated that the Government will be facilitating investments though Public-Private Partnerships in a bid to encourage and promote investment in the sector.
“This year alone, we’ll be building several agro-processing facilities across the country. We are also working with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) formula, where private investors are also building and the government acts as a facilitator to these investments. For this particular project, the government will be doing some infrastructural work in the area to ensure things are in place.”
Mustapha also said that Black Bush Polder is one of the areas in Guyana that produces a lot of agricultural commodities. He further stated that those farmers are often short-changed in terms of pricing and that this facility will enable the farmers to process their produce while creating jobs for other residents.
Managing Director of UMAMI Incorporated, Chris Persaud said that the facility will enable the company to integrate existing products into its product line. He also said that the construction and operation of the facility will facilitate the transfer of technology to farmers in Black Bush Polder.
“As a manufacturer of high-quality value-added food commodities, we are proud to be exercising our patriotic duty to be a part of the rebuilding of the area. Black Bush Polder, as many of you may know, is pretty much the heartland of our primary produce so this is also an opportunity for integration into our existing line of products. We also see it as an opportunity to transfer technology to the farmers so that they can increase their capacity. The ultimate goal of the facility is to find ways and means to enhance the shelf-life of the traditional products we have so that we can have less wastage and spoilage,” Persaud is quoted as saying.
Although a final investment amount has not been determined, Persaud said that the facility will be outfitted with A-grade technology to ensure quality products are produced since the brand is hoping to add products like canned vegetables to its line of products. He further stated that the products that will be produced will remain under the UMAMI brand given the fact that the brand is already known for providing quality products to its consumers.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer, Dr Peter Ramsaroop said there has been a significant increase in investments in the agriculture sector over the last year from both local and foreign investors.
“What we’re most proud of is that our local folks are stepping up to the plate, investing in agro-processing and large-scale farming. Our office is seeing a significant increase for the agriculture sector. For the year alone we’re in double digits on investments in the sector. Ultimately, so far, close to 500 jobs will be created with the agreements we’ve signed for the agriculture area,” Ramsaroop said.