New drink headlines at Green Guyana Expo
Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock; Minister of Finance Winston Jordan and IAST Chairman, Dr. Suresh Narine sample the new drink
Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock; Minister of Finance Winston Jordan and IAST Chairman, Dr. Suresh Narine sample the new drink

“SAK”, a locally produced beverage made from the same ingredients as indigenous drinks ‘Piwari’ or ‘Fly’, was launched at the opening of the inaugural Green Guyana Expo at the Guyana National Stadium tarmac on Thursday.

This beverage is being produced by the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) which is chaired by Dr. Suresh Narine.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Narine said the idea for the product came from a visit to the hinterland regions with Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock.

“This particular product has been used by the Macushis and Patamonas for a very long time. Some of you may know it as ‘Fly’ [and] some of you may know it as ‘Tonic’ but it is made from purple sweet potatoes,” he said.

The locally made purple potato drink, Sak

According to Dr. Narine, the potatoes have immense health benefits including the promotion of cardiac and circulatory health, regulation of blood pressure, improvement of sexual function and the reduction of stress and inflammation.

The product is excellent for the young and old, he said, noting that the production of the beverage signals a bigger picture of developing green and sustainable businesses in indigenous communities.

He said the production is “vertically integrated” into sustainable agriculture backed in the Rupununi Savannahs and the Pakaraima valleys. This is so because according to him, indigenous peoples have a wealth of knowledge on their own and noted that the IAST will continue to brand this line of products.

Existing products include crabwood oils and sundried tomatoes that are all produced from collaboration between indigenous communities and the institute. Importantly, Sak is being marketed under the ‘Kaieteur Nutraceuticals’ brand to emphasise that the products are a result of their geographical underpinnings.

All of the profits generated from the sale of Sak will go back into the communities.

Minster Allicock said he is happy that the institute is tapping into the indigenous culture and using innovation to bring new products to the wider society.

“We know how to use it, it is for our sustenance in the hinterland and it is now becoming a big market for Guyana, a big market for our indigenous people and more so for the economy of our communities,” he said.

The beverage will only hit select stores and will go at $250 per bottle.

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