President David Granger has continuously spoken about Guyana’s need to develop its agro-processing sector.
Against this backdrop, Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder on Saturday, February 29, 2020, commissioned an agro-processing facility at Parika to the tune of $50, 384,000.
It will create employment for 20 persons directly and indirectly. It will however benefit approximately one hundred plantain farmers primarily in Region Three.
This is so because an average of 6,000 pounds of plantains will be utilized in the facility on a weekly basis and by extension approximately 24,000 pounds monthly.
During his remarks at the opening ceremony, Minister Holder told those gathered, “Plantains have always been appointed an export potential crop, it is one of our priority crops for development.”
He said that with the aid of the National Agriculture and Research Extension Institute (NAREI), there has been advancing programmes for farmers to adopt innovative technology and management best practices to achieve high levels of production and sustainability.
Minister Holder reminded that President Granger has emphasized the need for a more robust programme for agro-processing as we are operating far below our potential.
According to the Minister, fruits and vegetable exports in 2018 were US$8M, but can potentially be US$250M.
He said the 2018 imports of banana and plantain chips indicated that we imported G$53.5 million worth.
Keeping that in mind, Minister Holder added that this shows there are lucrative market opportunities, still to be optimized.
“While we have already made some progress in expanding the range of products in the agri-food sector, it is very clear that we need to do more, and we need to accelerate our activities,” emphasized the government official.
He continued, “We have seen a rise in the agro-processing sector nationally. The Guyana Shop has seen an increase in both range and number of products over the years, with 344 new products from 2013 to 2019.”
Some of the expected benefits of the new facility include; increased exports of local products and increased investment in the agro-processing industry; an improved business model for enterprises in agro-processing; new employment opportunities for vulnerable groups such as women and youth and more agro processors to benefit from a facility with improved production and marketing standards.
Also, yesterday the Minister launched the brand ‘HANA’ plantain chips. HANA ” means “River” in the Guyanese Warrau language.
This facility is in close proximity to the mighty Essequibo river, permitting access by both road and river – particularly for farmers in the Essequibo islands and the Parika Back, the main plantain production areas in that Region.
Plans are in place to develop additional flavours of plantain chips and other types of chips over the coming years, the Minister said.
According to Minister Holder, government has invested in this facility to be a pilot for the snack food industry.
Apart from the facility having a close private sector partnership, it will also demonstrate that Guyana can compete in the snack industry.
Plantain chips, he revealed, will be produced and exported to Canada and other countries by the Guyana Marketing Corporation.
Minister Holder added that plans are in place to develop a model which will allow for the utilization of this facility by agro-processors who produce chips and require a facility.
While this model has not been finalized, the Minister said that his Ministry will be excited to collaborate to improve production capability and, more importantly, provide opportunities to expand the marketability of products.
