Farmers from across various regions of Guyana are seeking to expand traditional markets by tapping into agro-processing, while agro-processors are forging partnerships with suppliers to expand the value-added market.
Speaking with Ignite News during the recently held Farmer-To-Business Symposium at the Splashmins Resort, livestock and cash crop farmer Ameer Rahim said he is pursuing avenues for developing his business through networking, as he recently ventured into the business of agro-processing.
Rahim is now the owner of Country Side Flavour, a local business that manufactures cold-pressed coconut oil, plantain flour, flavored pepper sauce, and herb seed oil.
“Just last August, I started agro-processing. This symposium has been very beneficial so far. There are so many people from different backgrounds that you can reach out to for help. There are people here from various sectors, and different types of farmers can assist in ways that can support your dreams and opportunities,” he said.
Additionally, agro-processor and owner of House of Honey, Lance Hinds, told Ignite News that his goal is to build partnerships with farmers for future long-term business engagements.
“I’m here today to learn about farmers who are growing pepper so we can develop our value-added products. Coming out of this, we aim to identify potential partners and establish long-term business engagements. Ultimately, this will be a mutually beneficial arrangement,” he emphasised.
Meanwhile, Senior Research Scientist at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Ramnarace Sukhna, said such meaningful collaborations with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) began in 2023 with shade houses and hydroponics projects.
“The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute is a research institution, and we also disseminate or transfer technology to farmers. However, often what happens is that farmers produce goods but face challenges in accessing markets. So, today’s symposium is extremely important because it brings together farmers, producers, and buyers. Representatives from restaurants and hotels are here, and this collaboration will play an integral role in helping farmers sell their produce to these buyers,” he explained.
NAREI is one of the agencies that collaborated with the GCCI for the symposium.
Farmers, agro-processors, and suppliers were also given the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions on business opportunities, pricing, quality, and delivery terms.
Lance Hinds
