The Wowetta Women’s Agro-processers group has inaugurated their farine processing factory in the North Rupununi as part of Agriculture Month 2018 celebrations.
The Department of Public Information (DPI) said that the factory project began in 2015 and was financed by the Canadian government with support from the Government of Guyana, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and Conservation International.
DPI said that Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock were present at the dedication ceremony at the Wowetta Benab, Annai sub-district Region Nine.
“The farine factory will now need large supplies of cassava and you the people can supply the facility. Neighbouring Aranaputa has peanuts; let us begin to think about other products and support each other. Let us also begin to look at other crops that are not on the market and process it and make an income for yourselves and the villages”, Allicock said.
The Agriculture Minister highlighted the importance of adding value to their products. He assured the women’s group that the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) would purchase their products and noted that their farine is already available in the Guyana Shop in Georgetown. Janine Cocker, Counsellor, Development Cooperation, Global Affairs Canada said her government is very pleased to be associated with such a project that is aimed at securing livelihood options for the people. Chairperson of the Wowetta Women’s Group, Priscilla Torres said that the group started in 2008 when it was observed that a large number of women in the village were migrating to Brazil to seek jobs.
