— Harmon tells Region Three agriculture expo

MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon has called on farmers, producers and entrepreneurs of Region Three to graduate from being raw producers to engaging in value-added production.
“We must look for the “Made in Guyana” brand and we must recognise that this is the brand of the future; the future of the Caribbean and even the world,” Harmon told the opening the region’s Regional Agricultural and Commercial Exhibition (RACE) at the Leonora stadium, West Coast Demerara, on Saturday.

The exhibition, which was organised by the regional administration of Region Three and the Region Three Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was well received by hundreds of persons who were able to see what the region has to offer, especially in the area of agro-processing.

“There was a rich display of items produced by farmers, agro processors and entrepreneurs of the region; and this demonstrates that agricultural development and the food security of the country are in safe hands,” he said, adding that RACE was initially established to show persons what the different regions have to offer.
Harmon reminded the gathering that the exhibitions are the brainchild of President David Granger, who insisted that it must be held in all regions because every region has peculiar features.

The President believes that every region is unique with its own talent, natural resources and activities.
According to Minister Harmon, the exhibition creates a conduit through which farmers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs become exposed to an environment that will boost production and productivity, stimulate innovation and value-added production and create employment.

The participants are not the only ones who are exposed to new opportunities, since citizens would also be able to discover and buy locally made products.
RACE, he said, also aids in expansion of the manufacturing sector and assists the government in its effort to reduce poverty, decrease the food import bill and build strong regional economies.
“As such, we urge that RACE becomes a permanent fixture in the calendar of activities of each region,” posited Harmon.

With agro-processing being the main focus of the exhibition, the minister pointed out that many farmers and entrepreneurs are moving away from the old practice of planning and selling to value-added production.

Most of the exhibitors had processed herbs and vegetables on display; a sight which Harmon said is in line with the government’s Agricultural Diversification Programme.
“From next week, I will visit the establishments of these young manufacturers to see in what way the government can help them to grow and become major producers,” he said.
The exhibitors and other farmers were encouraged to produce because there are wide diasporas, Caribbean and international markets for products that are produced locally.

But as they approach production of the items, Minister Harmon said it must be done within the context of the government’s Green State Development Strategy.
Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin, who also addressed the gathering, stressed the importance of adopting the methods of the strategy.

He said it will provide a long-term direction for a sustainable path to national development.
A number of exhibitors displayed sustainable initiatives that they intend to improve as they grow. Most of them said the expo, which is the first of its kind in that region, was a good opportunity to learn new and better ways of doing business.