– Synergies between agriculture, tourism to push Guyana forward

THE combination of agriculture and tourism is a recipe for success, not just for the stakeholders in the sectors, but also for Guyana’s economy.
“It is a win-win combination,” said Consul General of Guyana to Brazil, Shirley Melville, in an invited comment on the sidelines of the final day of the Agro-Tourism Expo at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, on Saturday.

The synergies between the two sectors are expected to create a foundation for further development and open up new opportunities for the stakeholders. Melville said the cooperation between the two sectors will simultaneously expose Guyana’s lucrative and enterprising agriculture sector and its attractive and impressive tourism industry.
The consul general said the hidden talents from both sectors will get an opportunity to reach the right eyes and the right markets. Some of the hidden talent would come from the hinterland regions where agro-processing and craft making is big.

“I believe that Indigenous People would get to market their creations through the tourism sector and at the same time attract persons to the various communities by showcasing what they have to offer,” said Melville.

Just like the Indigenous population, other Guyanese will also have an opportunity to market their products and show what Guyana has to offer, when the partnership between the two sectors takes off. Persons had an opportunity to experience the cooperation firsthand during the expo which started on October 31.

The cooperation between the two sectors was evident, since there was a plethora of exhibits ranging from agro-processing, craft, models of local tourist attractions and many more.

One of the exhibitors and owner of Shine’s Agri Manufacturing, Kelshine Griffith, said the expo was a great initiative, since it gave stakeholders within the two sectors an opportunity to network and talk about ways of cooperation.

She said the event should be held annually so that there could be a constant flow of cooperation and opportunities for various producers from across the country. Several other exhibitors echoed the sentiments of Griffith, noting that the agriculture and tourism sectors have the potential to collectively improve Guyana’s economy. Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder had said that the Agri-Tourism Expo and business forum was an offspring of the 2016 cooperative agreement between the two ministries. The aim of the agreement was to enhance the agri-tourism sector.

“Agri-tourism offers farmers the possibility of diversifying and generating additional income through on-farm tourism activities… this will supplement on-farm income and maintain the viability of farms in rural communities,” said Minister Holder during the launch of the expo in September.

The minister said the nexus between agriculture and tourism is not new since it is something which Guyanese have practiced and continue to practice throughout their lives.

“By simply going to pick fruits, swim in the conservancy or preparing a bush cook, you are participating in agri-tourism,” said Holder. Although it has been prominent in the traditional Guyanese sense, agri-tourism is still a category which needs to be exploited and branded as a unique product. The minister believes that agri-tourism should not only be aimed at attaining foreign arrival targets, but should be a money-maker for farmers and the nation.