Recent Posts
Farmers in Region Six are being encouraged to take greater advantage of available financing and support services to expand and formalise their agricultural enterprises.
The call was made during a capacity-building workshop held on Thursday at the Region Six Regional Democratic Council (RDC) boardroom. The event was organised through a collaboration among the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Caribbean, the Small Business Bureau (SBB), and the Ministry of Agriculture.
The workshop brought together farmers and representatives from key agencies to provide information on accessing financial support, technical services and other resources aimed at strengthening agricultural operations.
Country Coordinator for Guyana and Suriname at WUSC Caribbean, Donald Coal, said the initiative was designed to ensure farmers understand where to seek assistance and how to access available services.
“The workshop is about bringing everyone into the same room — private sector representatives, government agencies and farmers — so they know exactly where to go when they need support, whether it is financing or extension services,” Coal said.
He noted that while many farmers are aware of financial institutions and support programmes, they are often uncertain about the procedures required to access them.
Sessions therefore focused on helping farmers navigate those systems and connect directly with agencies offering financial assistance.
Agricultural entrepreneur Reynard Ward, who participated in the workshop, said the initiative was timely for farmers seeking to grow their operations.
“One of the most important things highlighted here is the link between business and agriculture. Too often agriculture is not viewed as a business. However, lives, families and communities are sustained through agriculture,” Ward said.
He added that similar initiatives should be replicated across other regions and communities to ensure farmers are better equipped to expand their businesses and improve profitability.
The workshop forms part of ongoing efforts by government and partner organisations to strengthen the agricultural sector and improve farmers’ access to financial resources, particularly for women and young producers seeking to build sustainable enterprises.
