–event to create network for small businesses, local farmers, agro-processors

IN a bid to create a wider space for networking and marketing, the regional agriculture department of Region 10 will be transforming its local farmers’ market into a business expo and agriculture village on April 29, 2022.

This activity forms part of a gamut of events planned for Linden Town Week 2022, April 23 to May 5.

The agriculture and business expo, according to the Regional Agriculture Officer of Region 10, Derrick Collins, will give some of the region’s business owners, farmers, agro-processors and other stakeholders a platform to showcase their products and produce.

“This is in partnership with the Region 10 tourism committee and what we plan to do on that day is have persons in Region 10, whether you are a farmer or an agro-processor, we want to give you this space to come and showcase what [you] are producing,” Collins said.

He added that the event is also being held to shed some light on the many other resources that are available in the town.

“Traditionally, we are known as a mining community, but you would be surprised at the amount of agriculture and a lot of persons don’t have that exposure. So, we want to use this opportunity to give that kind of exposure,” Collins related.

He added that he is hoping that the expo will be an engine for growth and advancement in the region’s agriculture sector.

Collins said: “It will benefit the participants tremendously, as we are looking to use this as a networking opportunity… a lot of persons do not know that Linden is producing this. We have a lot of persons who don’t know that markets exist beyond Linden for their produce.

“We want investors to come and see what we have right here and let them know before they go anywhere else, they can come here to invest.”

Speaking about the benefits that would accrue to consumers, the agriculture officer said: “We are looking at the local consumers and the need for them to understand that we are producing these [products] in linden, so we don’t have to depend on going elsewhere.”

To show even more support for the local farmers and the town’s business community, Collins said that while a small fee is attached for registration, this will be waived for the first 30-35 participants. Those persons, he said, will be fully sponsored by the region’s agriculture department.

ECONOMIC BOOST
In celebration of the town’s 52nd anniversary, the Linden Town Week event is set to return on April 23 with a series of fun-filled and vibrant activities.

The event is being spearheaded by the regional tourism committee and according to committee’s head, Devin Sears, he is excited for the economic stimulation that will accompany the event.

He told this publication that this year’s event will not only see a grand celebration, but also provide an economic boost since many of the local businesses and entrepreneurs are also in preparation mode.

“[What] we are happy and excited about is the economic stimulation Linden Town Week will bring, because a lot of folks are looking forward to it,” Sears said.

He added: “When you come to Linden, it’s not just accommodation, people will need meals, clothes; they will need everything. We are seeing supermarkets stocking up already, we see the clothes vendor gearing up for the coloured-themed events [and] we are really happy about that part there.”