The Ministry of Agriculture yesterday announced that an agro-processing facility has been commissioned in Watooka, Linden at a cost of $23.6 million.
The plant is intended to provide much-needed agro-processing services to approximately 600 persons in and around the region and comes on the heels of a similar facility that was opened in Karaudarnau Village in Region Nine.
At the commissioning, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha noted during his remarks that the government has made large sums of money available to help develop Guyana’s agro-processing sector. He pointed out that since farmers are being encouraged to produce more, value-added production will enable them to maximise profits and extend the shelf life of their commodities.
“The commissioning of this facility at Watooka clearly indicates the ongoing development in the agriculture sector. Our farmers are producing primary products and are selling them to middlemen. There is no value added. We sell our fruits and we are purchasing juices from overseas. So, at the ministry level, a decision was taken to develop these facilities because we have sufficient products to help our farmers get involved in value-added production. When we do this, our country is able to move to a higher level. We are not only focused on primary production. Now our farmers are having these facilities because this government is interested in development, especially in the agriculture sector,” the minister explained.
Mustapha also disclosed that over the last three years, approximately 300 new agro-processed products were introduced through collaboration and support from the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC). Further, by the end of 2023, some 13 agro-processing facilities will be commissioned and put into operation to assist farmers in rural areas with value-added production.
Although he acknowledged that Guyana produces most of the food consumed locally, he stressed that focus is being placed on increasing production in order to lower Guyana’s and the region’s food import bill.
“We, in Guyana, are very fortunate because we are producing 60% of the food we are consuming. But, as a government, we are not satisfied with only 60%. We are still importing a number of commodities that we can produce locally. A lot of effort and emphasis is being placed on ensuring farmers are able to produce more and have the necessary infrastructure and inputs to do so. We are also working at the level of CARICOM to lower the regional food import bill.”
New GMC’s General Manager, Teshawna Lall, in her remarks noted that the establishment of the facility stands as “a testament to the government’s commitment to bolster commercial agro-processing within the region.” She said that the facility was constructed and outfitted to international standards, and contained the necessary technology to minimise wastage and spoilage. In addition, it is said to have the capacity to produce in excess of 4,300 litres of sauces and seasonings monthly and is equipped with an array of machinery such as mixers, blenders, stoves, stainless steel containers, heavy-duty scales, and chillers.
The facility has the capacity to operate on a 24-hour cycle and offers mechanised processes to allow for lower operational expenses, the release added.
