Two groups of rural women agro-processors have been chosen to participate in the finals of the Accenture-funded `Making Markets Work’ project’s Entrepreneurship Awards ceremony to be held in Lethem during the week of January 20th.
The Making Markets Work project is being implemented in Guyana jointly by international volunteer organisations CUSO and VSO. A press release from the organizers of the project said it targets six women’s agro-processing groups which are part of the Women’s Agro-processing Development Network (WADNetwork).
The release said that the aim of the project is to boost market-led approaches that increase the incomes of poor and marginalised groups and people.
“One of the primary goals of the project is to improve the ability of rural and indigenous producers to access, participate and influence market activities by understanding and influencing the dynamics of their respective value chains”, the release said.
The two groups selected are the Pomeroon Women’s Agro-Processors Association from Region 2 and Waini Naturals from Region 1. The release said that these groups were first assessed at the country level where there were seven local competitors. The top three Guyana applicants were then placed in a regional pool comprising Bolivia, Nicaragua and Peru. Four finalists were then picked to compete for the top prize of US$2500 at the Entrepreneurship Awards Ceremony to be held at the Lethem event in January 2014. The other two finalists are from Peru, the release added.
The Pomeroon Women’s Group is noted for its products which are branded “Pomeroon Delight” and include Virgin Coconut Oil, Hot Pepper Sauce, Green and Brown Seasoning, Mango Achar and Fruit Mix. Waini Naturals produces Crabwood oil, soaps and creams.
