FARMERS in Guyana must begin to capitalise on the benefits of agri-tourism as an additional source of revenue and an overall boost to the sector here.
This was the message on Thursday evening at the Agri-Tourism Business Forum and Expo held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

The event was hosted by the Department of Tourism within the Ministry of Business in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Agriculture as a part of the string of activities set for Guyana’s first Agri-Tourism Expo. In the keynote address, third Vice-President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, said that agri-tourism can serve to expand the income stream of farmers which is good for Guyana.

The two sectors, he expounded, are inseparable to sustainable, ‘green’ development which is why they remain crucial the realisation of Guyana’s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS): Vision 2040. While he congratulated the ministries and departments for their collaboration, he recommended that the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GLSC) be included the next time around so that issues in relation to land acquisition for agriculture can be addressed.

Minister Allicock said that while many are focused on the fact that Guyana is “oil-rich”, focus must also be placed in the area of agriculture where Guyana also holds countless riches in diversity. “It is the beginning of, I’m sure, continued success. You’ve taken two truly Guyanese sectors and merged them in an explosive way. This is ideal creative thinking that will continue to contribute to Guyana attaining its 2020 goals,” he said.

“Agriculture has a key role to play in eco-tourism. We know when visitors come they want to have the full, ‘green’ experience. This is the Guyanese treasure, our gift from motherhood and by merging and paying keen attention to these sectors, not only will there be great economic growth with the improvement of access to market and marketability of our produce, but it also allows us to seek economic development by sustainably using our natural resources in ways that are not harmful to the environment.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Business and Tourism, Hemraj Rajkumar, said that the event is meant to spur greater interest and investment in the area of agri-tourism which has much potential. “Guyana is perfectly poised to become an agri-tourism powerhouse in the Region. With the right investment…and supporting policies, this niche can be developed at a rapid rate,” he said.

Agriculture continues to play a critical role in Guyana’s economic development accounting for one-third of the country’s GDP and serving as a means of employment for thousands.
The minister said that Guyana’s agriculture practices serve as attraction to visitors while agri-tourism can become the gateway to rural development, as it is a business the entire family can be involved in. He used the forum to urge more agriculture businesses in Guyana to add the tourism component to their offerings for greater returns, more sustainable farms and countrywide development. Rajkumar said, “It is true that Guyana has not fully capitalised on its natural advantages in agriculture, nor has it exploited its rich agriculture heritage. It is therefore my hope that this expo will start those conversations and push in the direction of making agri-tourism very permanent.”

In brief remarks to the audience, President of Tourism Hospitality Association of Guyana, Mitra Ramkumar, underscored that the agriculture sector can greatly benefit from the tourism sector should farmers increase the standards of their operations. He explained that hotels are interested in produce free of harmful chemicals and seek out the traceability of these produce to the farm. Ramkumar said that while one of the greatest challenges farmers face is access to markets, properly presenting themselves and improving local practices can drive the available market to farmers.

A message to the audience also came from Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) General Manager of the GRDB, Nizam Hassan. He stated that there are many opportunities for agriculture and tourism in Guyana and citizens must begin to forge these linkages with innovative ideas. One such group of people which stand to benefit, Hassan said, are farmers who can find an additional source of income in agri-tourism.

Regarding agri-education, he said that more must be done to ensure that children at all levels of Guyana’s education system understand the benefits of being involved in agriculture.

He also recommended the hosting of specialty functions such as a Mango Festival, Pumpkin Festival or Rice Festival, showcasing how the crops can diversely be used. “Agri-tourism opportunities, whilst some may say [is at] an infant stage of development, presents great possibilities waiting to be exploited. These opportunities can be turned into full blown businesses thereby not only creating additional sources of revenue for farmers but also creating new businesses for other entrepreneurs,” he said. During the ceremony there were cultural items in the form of dance, while the numerous booths on display provided information, food, arts and craft for the indulgence of the visitors.