— Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association providing support through UncappeD Marketplace

WHILE it is still in the early stages of development, agro-processing is poised to become a viable local industry, and, as such, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) is working assiduously to achieve this by implementing several initiatives. Chief among the initiatives introduced by the GMSA thus far to support local agro-processors and expand the industry is ‘Uncapped Marketplace’.

UncappeD Marketplace is an exhibition, marketplace and food festival that provides a platform for local agro-processors to showcase their businesses and products. The event was launched in 2017 and has since helped hundreds of local micro and small businesses to market their products. After its launch in 2017, the event was held in 2018 and again in 2019; however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UncappeD was put on hold in 2020 and 2021 in compliance with the local regulations. Fortunately, Guyana’s successful vaccination campaign has resulted in a drastic decrease in COVID-19 cases, making it possible for UncappeD Marketplace to make a grand return in 2022.

Since its launch, UncappeD has been providing a platform for agro-processors across the length and breadth of Guyana to showcase their unique local products in a bid to generate rapid sales and expand their market reach outside of the local sphere. Additionally, UncappeD Marketplace has become the ideal event for new and established agro-processors such as Andrew Campbell to make their debut into the market. This thirty-two-year-old entrepreneur grandly launched his business ‘Ebesowana Natural Foods’ at the UncappeD event in 2019 and continues to reap the benefits of the profound opportunities the exhibition has provided him.

The young entrepreneur—who hails from Santa Rosa, Region One—revealed that while growing up, farming was all he knew, explaining that he learned a great deal about agriculture and learned to love it from a young age. Despite leaving the hinterland region to reside in the capital city, farming remained close to his heart.

PLANTING GINGER
However, Campbell’s love for planting and farming was truly ignited when he began planting ginger in the North-West district after realising there was a high demand for it. Though Campbell loved planting ginger, he did not foresee the challenges that would come with his endeavour, and experienced great difficulties acquiring a fair price for his produce since many vendors and other purchasers were reluctant to pay the true price of the items.

This setback resulted in him exploring other avenues to lucratively ply his trade, but the reality of producing his own ginger powder was not pellucid until he was encouraged by one of his lecturers to apply for a grant from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

“I applied and I got through, but I did not get the full amount which was three thousand US dollars, I got two thousand dollars,” he shared.

The money from this grant was then used to purchase dehydrators, a grinding machine and packages and he embarked on his new business venture of bringing another superior quality ginger powder to the local market in September 2018. While the powdered ginger was his main product on the market at the time, Campbell wanted more. To this end, he began experimenting with local fruits in January 2019 to ascertain those that were suitable for dehydration. Those fruits included guava, pineapple, cherries, watermelon, mangoes, avocado, papaya, banana and sapodilla. At the end of that process, it was decided that the watermelon, pineapple, banana and mango were most suitable for dehydration. This was the beginning of the dried fruit snacks and another set of products in the ‘Ebesowana Natural Foods’ line. Campbell then introduced his products at various cafés including Java and the Beacon café, where his brand received a lot of support and compliments. However, it wasn’t until he participated in the UncappeD event that he was able to receive tremendous support.

He shared: “I think was in March 2019 we had our first UncappeD event, and all our products were a big hit but the ginger, dried pineapple and watermelon were the big hits. People could not believe that watermelon could be dried and eaten as a snack.”

EXPAND MARKET BASE
Campbell recalled being invited to participate in UncappeD by a friend who is a member of the GMSA. Upon submitting his application, he was pleasantly surprised to learn that he had secured a spot for the event. Through UncappeD, he was granted the opportunity to expand his market base and introduce his products to new customers. Following his participation in UncappeD, Campbell’s business experienced a great boost in sales and an expanded network of customers.

He said: “I think what the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association has done over the years, especially with UncappeD, is unprecedented, because when I took part in 2019, I wasn’t a member. I was basically now starting up my business. It was a lot of exposure, a lot of people reached out after the event. People from across the world e-mailed me. The reach was wide, and I was able to gain traction from the event.”

Campbell lauded the GMSA for the two-day event, expressing his gratitude for the massive support and exposure the participating agro-processors will receive. He anticipates a large turn out this year, since he believes Guyanese have missed the event and are now excited for its return.

“After two and half years of no UncappeD, everybody will be on the lookout. Guyanese products are emerging, and we have unique products and people are excited to see what we have,” the agro-processor posited.

Campbell assured that he was prepared to cater for the taste buds of Guyanese, especially chocolate lovers. “At the first UncappeD, we were just doing four dehydrated fruits and the ginger powder. Now we have a wide range of products, including the dehydrated fruits, pepper mix, chocolate-coated pineapples, dark chocolate bars and drinking chocolate,” he disclosed.

Additionally, supporters can expect a new 60 per cent dark chocolate, cherry powder-infused bar, which will be launched at this year’s UncappeD. Campbell believes that the event is an excellent starting ground for agro-processors who are now emerging and stated that it is one of the most anticipated events because of the opportunities it presents.

This year, UncappeD Marketplace will be held for two days on April 30h and May 1 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, from 10:00 hrs. It is expected that over 100 local businesses will participate in the event this year. Admission is free! (Sagacity Inc)