– farmers call for greater promotion of agriculture

PRESIDENT David Granger’s notion of a “Green Economy” is gradually being adopted and is evident in the growing interest of persons who are seeking to grow their own food.

Farmers observed this increasing interest at the first-ever Farmers Market which was held at D’Urban Park on Saturday, as part of a number of activities to mark Guyana’s 51st anniversary of independence.

Farmers told the Guyana Chronicle that the turnout out at the exposition was good and they had a chance to market and sell their produce, which is not readily available to the local market. However, it was noticeable that most persons who purchased plants and vegetables had a deep interest in growing their own food.
Permanent Secretary (ag) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Joylyn Nestor Burrowes in an invited comment, said the aim of the Farmers Market was to encourage persons to grow their own food and it was evident that they achieved that.

“Throughout the years we have been encouraging persons to grow their own food, because homegrown is the best. Throughout the event we had a chance to share out seeds to persons who were more than enthused to begin growing their own food,” she said.

Added to that, owner of McGarrell’s farm and plant nursery, Forbes McGarrell, of Vergenoegen, East Bank of Essequibo, told the Guyana Chronicle that people have an interest in growing their own food and this was proven by persons from Central Georgetown, who bought seedlings and other plants with the intention of starting kitchen gardens.

Burrowes, however, pointed out that although persons were moving towards a green approach, there had been a perception that farmers were not generating enough income. So aside from the “grow more” promotion, the ministry along with the Ministries of Business and Communities used the expo to encourage farmers to continue what they did and to promote their produce.
Although they did not get the turnout from farmers that was expected, those who were there pointed out that they were able to generate enough income within the short space of time.
Farmers who were there travelled from Regions Three (West Demerara-Essequibo Islands), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

Farmers were however not the only proprietors who participated; there were numerous entrepreneurs, innovators and even representatives from all the Departments of the Ministry of Agriculture.
And, with the attention that the Farmers’ Market received, Burrowes said that the ministry would be looking to promote more of those expos, so that businesspersons would have a chance to market their fresh produce.

PROMOTION OF AGRICULTURE
McGarrell welcomed the talk of continued expositions, but said there was much more to be done in terms of promoting agriculture, because it was the “backbone” of the country.
Suggestions were made that a more holistic approach must be taken because aside from getting the land, farmers needed markets and transportation.
A farmer who has been in business for over 25 years, said that there was need for more air transport which would allow local farmers to access foreign markets in a timely manner.

Entrepreneurs support McGarrell’s idea. Paul Warner, a representative of Jet’s Enterprise, told this publication that their business which is located in De Kenderen, West Coast Demerara, has been in existence since 2000 and over the years they have been exporting their produce to countries around the Caribbean.
Jet’s Enterprise distributes juices that are made from locally produced cherries, passion fruit, mauby and other mouth-watering fruits.
Another innovative businessperson, Louisa Mancey, who is the founder of the local brand “Naked Soap,” also had a booth at the Expo.

Many other small, medium and large-scale businesses also participated in the event but, persons told the Chronicle that the initiative was mostly encouraging for businesses not yet popular on the local market.