ARUBAN businessman Roberino Faro and Logistics Officer Larry Phillips of the company, Fruit & Veggie in a box met with Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud on Monday to discuss the sourcing of fruits and vegetables from Guyanese farmers.

The Ministry of Agriculture said that the company has intention to initially obtain a wide range of fruits including banana, watermelon, orange, tangerine, mango, pineapple, passion fruit, papaya and avocado. Later it will seek top source vegetables.

From left: Logistics Officer Larry Phillips of Fruit & Veggie in a box;  Aruban businessman Roberino Faro handing over his country’s flag to Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud. Also present was Jairam Gir, Guyana Representative for Fruit &Veggie in a box.

Fruits & Veggie in a Box plans to set up operations at Parika and will be packing the consumer ready boxes in Guyana.  The products will be delivered immediately to consumers upon arrival in Aruba, the Ministry stated.

The concept behind fruits & Veggie in a Box is to remove the various “hands’ that products have to “pass” through before they reach the consumer, thereby making the products more affordable to the consumers.

Faro has already indicated to Minister Persaud that he is very impressed with Guyana’s products. “Guyana’s agriculture export potential is like an untapped gold mine,” he said.

Once the fruits and veggie in a box project gets going, Faro plans to expand to dry goods, fish and meat.

Minister Persaud stated that this heightened interest indicates wider regional recognition of Guyana’s agriculture growth and will add support to the agriculture diversification drive. Further if the project materializes early it will assist farmers whose production has been expanding and seeking additional markets.

The Guyana Marketing Corporation has been providing logistical support to the visitors, taking them to various farming communities to meet with farmers and other business persons. This is part of a continuous effort to access additional market opportunities for farmers and exporters. (GINA)