– 10,700 tonnes of fresh fruits, vegetables and processed foods exported so far this year
GUYANA’S exports of cash crops to regional and international markets have increased by 10 percent over last year’s figure.
According to Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, 10,700 tonnes of fresh fruits, vegetables and processed foods have been exported to countries in the wider world, including the Caribbean region, this year.
He made this pronouncement last week during a press briefing in the board room of the Agriculture Ministry, while providing a year-end update on the sector.
The increase in exports, he noted, was due in part to the positive response of the farmers to the government-led Grow More Food campaign, which was launched on March 20, 2008 in an effort to increase food production by adopting a market-led approach.
Minister Ramsammy explained: “I am happy to see that our cash crop farmers are getting more assistance, and they have responded to the Grow More Food campaign by not only feeding the nation, but ensuring that there is sufficient to export to other countries.
“Our export is up by 10 percent over last year’s figure of 9,600 tonnes. It is a growing trade between farmers who sell agricultural commodities outside of rice and sugar.”
In this regard, he revealed that both the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Common Market and external markets have grown over the years, as Guyana has exported 3,200 tonnes of produce to CARICOM and 7,500 tonnes to North America, up to the end of November this year.

CONCERNS
Though he remains optimistic about the figures, Minister Ramsammy expressed hope that the country’s cash crop farmers do not suffer the same fate as the rice farmers relative to payment for their produce.
He said, “I hope that there is not a growing practice, as has happened with rice that exporters will buy crops from poor farmers and not pay.  I will be as impatient as I am with the millers…You must pay the farmers!”
Ramsammy noted with concern that, already, some small farmers have to deal with errant exporters who are issuing post-dated cheques which the farmers are unable to cash.
In explaining, he stated, “One farmer had a cheque in June for products valued at $490,000. He tried to cash the cheque and was told (to) wait a little bit.”
In light of this, the Agriculture Minister encouraged those exporters to seek the assistance of the Ministry in an effort to facilitate the export of the crops if problems arise, particularly as (those problems) regard the payment to farmers; and he pledged to work closely with the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC) to create linkages to further support these efforts.