THE government is on track to establish an agro-processing facility in the farming community of Black Bush Polder (BBP), Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), according to Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh and Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha.

They made the announcement on Saturday during a meeting with residents of the community at the Mibicuri Primary School.
“We are already working with the private sector to encourage agro-processing and very shortly we will be entering a partnership that will see an agro-processing plant set up right here in Mibicuri.

“So, farmers, in addition to taking the produce that they will be taking to the market, you will have a market right here in Mibicuri where you can sell your produce for processing, bottling and with a view for value-added production, better prices, larger volumes,” Dr. Singh said, as he received resounding applause from the gathering.

The Finance Minister contended that for too long Guyana has been stuck as a primary producer of fresh fruits and vegetables, while importing products that have longer shelf life and value-added processing. As such, the government has engaged an investor who is willing to commence construction of the facility shortly in BBP that will transform the lives of farmers and boost the agricultural sector overall.

“What this means is that there will be a bigger market for people who are growing these crops, it means that they will get better, there is an incentive to cultivate, plant and harvest more and it means as a country, we will not just be able to sell for the domestic market, but potentially export quality products for the diaspora.
“There is a big market for value-added market agricultural production in the diaspora that we want to tap into as well,” Dr. Singh said.

He explained that one of the main reasons Guyana has not been able to tap into the agro-processing market and compete with other CARICOM countries, is because of the high cost of production, specifically energy/electricity cost.
In this regard, Dr. Singh underscored the importance of the gas-to-shore project being spearheaded by Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo. This project, he stated, will significantly reduce energy costs for residents and the cost of manufacturing.

Meanwhile, to complement the processing facility, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha stated that the government has earmarked a packaging facility for Berbice. He stated that the location is still to be decided, but plans are afoot to have it at a location where both East and West Berbice residents can benefit.
These plans, Minister Mustapha stated, are part of the government’s commitment to the development of the agricultural sector and ensuring that the sector is the most viable in the country.