A new generation of innovators is needed to stop Guyana exporting raw produce and keep more of its value at home, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha told Queen's College students on Friday.

Mustapha spoke at the opening of the school's Value-Added Expo, where he challenged students, teachers and other attendees to think beyond traditional agricultural production and embrace innovation, value addition and entrepreneurship.

He said Guyana, long recognised for producing and exporting raw agricultural commodities, must move towards processing, packaging, branding and marketing locally produced goods.
For too long, developing countries have exported raw materials while much of the economic value was generated elsewhere, the minister said. Changing that approach is essential if Guyana is to maximise the benefits of its agricultural resources, create jobs and raise incomes for producers, entrepreneurs and communities, he added.

Mustapha said value addition is more than turning raw commodities into finished products. It creates opportunities for business development, encourages innovation, strengthens local industries and allows producers to capture a greater share of the value along the agricultural supply chain, he said.
He commended the students for their creativity and initiative, and urged them to see the products on display as potential business ventures that could contribute to the growing economy.

The minister reminded the students that many successful businesses worldwide began as simple ideas that were later developed into commercially viable products. He encouraged them to stay confident in their abilities and to keep refining their ideas.

The expo allowed students to showcase their creativity and show how product development can lead to new businesses and industries.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha