–say patrons of Farmers’ Market Day 2018

THEY came from near and far; some from as far as Mainstay on the Essequibo Coast to set up shop. And they had only six hours in which to do it; from 06:00 to 12:00hrs.

The occasion was Farmers’ Market Day 2018, held Saturday on D’Urban Park just off Brickdam and Vlissengen Road here in the city; and hosted for the third consecutive year by the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC).

And from all accounts, it was a surefire hit as always, according to Andrea Seechun, who came all the way from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) to represent the Adventure 28 group; although it was a first for her, she said she thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Most of their products were fruits and vegetables and seasonings.
“Within an hour, everything was gone,” she said. “The response from the public was tremendous, and deed sure, I look forward to another Farmers Market Day very soon.”

It was also a first for Samuel Blackman, Director of B and S Greenfields Cane Juice.
Said he: “I must say that it was exciting; a lot of persons are very excited about the product that I sell, which is pasteurised sugarcane juice.
“This is the first in Guyana and I am excited about the growth of my company and the further expansion, in terms of my product getting on the entire outskirts of Guyana.”

He said that he was very pleased with the response of the public, most of whom tasted his product on the spot and immediately there were favourable responses.

Other than that, there were no challenges, he said. Everything went very smoothly; things were well organised, even though he lost out a bit by arriving a tad late.

Jergle Lamazon of Wines, Juices and Shakes is what we would call “an old hand” at this sort of thing, as this was the third time that his company was participating in the event.

POSITIVE RESPONSES
And he, too, reported having had positive responses to his products.

“My wine ran out and I had to send for more,” Mr Lamazon said, adding:
“And many people are saying that they need to see much more in the supermarkets.”

The only two flies in the ointment for him, however, which he hopes to address shortly, are getting properly registered, and sourcing proper packaging for his wines.

Said he: “I would like for the business community, which is the private sector who normally imports packaging materials, to come on board so that they can see what is lacking. They are the ones who are importing, so they would actually be a part of assisting us when it comes to packaging.
“If only we can have that one-on-one contact when it comes to we the agro-processors…
“Then they have the business community who import stuff. So, if it is that they can bring in these materials, then we will buy from them and then they would buy from us; once the cost is right.”

Since the launch of the event back in 2016 under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, the GMC said it has known nothing but overwhelming responses; and the idea is to promote what’s available here by way of farm-fresh fruits and vegetables and their by-products.At the same time, farmers are given an opportunity to develop market connections and build relationships with their customers.

According to Packaging Facilities Manager Celestine Butters,invitations were sent out this year to more than 40 farmers, among them agro-processors; growers of plants and seedlings; and those who sell from fresh fruits to vegetables and ground provisions, ducklings and meats of all kinds among other produce, and that in all, there were about 700 local items on display.

“Because of this,” she said, meaning the opportunity to display their wares all in one place, “they have the exposure of other people, such as exporters, housewives and many other persons who come and meet with some of them; getting themselves au fait, as well as buying things that exist locally.”

ALL HOME-GROWN
As she later observed, people are often astonished to learn that many of the products they purchase are made locally and that as such, this year’s market day not only gave exposure to farmers and agro-processors, but also allowed many people to know where to source the many excellent products available there.

Noting that the annual exposure really does make a world of difference to all parties involved, Ms Butters said:

“As we stand here today, it is so overwhelming; many of them are saying, ‘I am sold out.’ We have Mr. Luke coming all the way from Mainstay and he is asking to be invited whenever again there is another such event.
“And there are so many more people; even the meats had to be replenished because they have been sold out.”

Among products people were mainly after that day were fresh fruits and vegetables; ducks, both plucked and the little ducklings to rear and coconut oil.

Even NAREI (the National Agricultural Research & Extension Institute), which was a part of the market day activities this year, was sold out and had to replenish their stocks again and again.

The only disappointment this year, Ms Butters said, was that because of the early-morning start, those who came with big baskets to do loads of shopping had to go away almost empty-handed; by the the time they arrived, everything was long gone.

But all is not lost. According to Ms Butters, because of the high demand for the event, and because of all the enthusiasm it has generated, the GMC is looking at December 15 to have another Farmers Market Day.

“So far,” she said, “all of the expenses have been borne by GMC: the tents, chairs, tables and everything, but we need to look at it now, where the participants should be a little more involved in having to pay a little stipend.”