Gov’t expands capacity to boost agricultural export
-in keeping with diversification thrust

Georgetown, GINA, January 25, 2008.

Government’s interest in furthering the development of the country’s agricultural sector is heightening with more investments being made to expand existing facilities that will cater for increased exports of produce particularly fruits and vegetables.
            The administration’s commitment was further displayed today with the re-commissioning of the Central Packaging Facility at Sophia, Greater Georgetown, which was upgraded to ensure processing of more non-traditional produce for export.
The facility was commissioned by Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud in the presence of officials of the Ministry, the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) and the Ministry of Agriculture of Barbados and exporters, producers and farmers among others.
The Sophia Pack-House was established in 2001 as part of efforts to boost the non-traditional crops sector and initially exports were done only to Barbados. The pack house has since facilitated processing of several produce mainly pumpkins, plantains, citrus, sweet potatoes and pineapples for export to countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua, Canada and the United States.
Approximately 10, 000 pounds of produce per month were processed initially however, this has since expanded to 100, 000 pounds per month.
The initiative is in keeping with the administration’s commitment to agricultural diversification to increase production, exports, income of farmers and national earnings, Minister Persaud pointed out.
Reference was made to the growing demand for food that exists especially in the Caribbean Region and which presents an opportunity to realise this vision. Thus, Government’s investments in activities such as upgrading of the pack house are aimed at positioning farmers and Guyana to take advantage of the potential.
Farmers, producers, processors, exporters and others were urged by the Minister that focus must be given to meeting the demands of the Caribbean region which is a safe and secure market.
During his presentation, Everton Hunte of the Ministry of Agriculture, Barbados, expressed satisfaction with the progress made with development of the pack house since 2001. Hunte is part of a team that is currently assessing Guyana’s production and processing facilities.
Government’s focus on promoting the non-traditional sector has shown encouraging results over recent years as exports have increased form 1901 tonnes in 1992 to more than 6000 tonnes in 2007.
This, according to Minister Persaud is evidence of the rapid agricultural development taking place in the country where more persons are getting involved in the sector while those who had left their lands are returning. 
While this is ongoing, Government’s investments continue to ensure that necessary support is given to farmers and other important parties in the agricultural sector. At present, a modern $89M storage and packaging facility is being built at Parika and will cater for the processing of produce from Regions Two and Three, where there have been increased production and need for such a facility.
Under the Poor Rural Communities Support Services Project (PRCSSP), major investments have been made to upgrade necessary services and infrastructure to support increased production with particular emphasis on non-traditional crops.
In addition, plans are underway to establish similar packaging facilities at other areas in the country such as Charity and Number 43 Village, Corentyne, where are also advanced agricultural development.
Also, at the GMC, efforts are being made to restructure and improve services offered to stakeholders that will enable them to utilise the market opportunities available. Establishment of the Marketing Information Centre and ongoing efforts to develop a Farmers’ Database are among the activities undertaken in this regard.
Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture Extension Services Programme was restructured to better meet the needs of farmers while a Pesticides Laboratory has been built at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.
This is part of efforts to ensure that the agricultural crops produced in Guyana in keeping with international standards are guaranteed safe and wholesome especially since consumers are becoming more aware of such issues.
Others who delivered remarks at the commissioning ceremony were Chairman of GMC Geoffrey Da Silva, General Manager Nizam Hassan, Deputy General Manager Celestine Butters and Exporter Owen Archer.

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