The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has been resolute in its commitment to supporting sustainable agriculture in Guyana and building the capacity of local farmers through collaborative outreaches.
Today, August 14, the Chamber participated in a Multistakeholder Forum on Sustaining Women, Youth, and Marginalised Male Farmers’ Participation in Agricultural Markets, that was hosted as part of the Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean Project funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by World University Service of Canada.
Chairperson of the GCCI Agriculture Committee, Mr. Brian Edwards, and Vice Chairperson of the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Committee, Ms. Natasha Waddle participated in the Forum that was held at the Grand Coastal Hotel.
The event saw farmers from across the country, including women farmers from Regions 2,3, and 10, highlighting challenges they face in agriculture—including lack of adequate storage facilities, issues with post harvest loss, lack of training, inability to compete with cheaper imports of a higher quality, and the need for access to more educational resources. The need for improved market linkages, access to quality planting materials, as well as pest and disease management were also brought to the fore.
During the forum, the challenges raised were discussed within breakout groups, with solutions explored and action items for addressing them being scheduled for implementation.
GCCI through a collaboration with WUSC, has been undertaking countrywide capacity-building outreaches that include the National Agriculture Research Extension Institute, the New Guyana Marketing Corporation, the Guyana Food Safety Authority, the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board, Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry, and the Small Business Bureau, which address many of the issues raised.
