WORKS are moving apace for constructing a state-of-the-art packaging plant at the Sophia Exhibition Centre, which will be completed by year-end, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has said.

“As I am speaking, the contractors are working there. They are building a brand-new building,” Mustapha said during a recent exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

The minister further stated that the $65M project, which is part of the ministry’s 2022 works programme, will enhance the country’s central packaging facility and the overall agro-processing sector.

“This [project] will help us to increase at the central level while we continue to expand across the country,” Mustapha said.

He further explained that the project will bolster the global effort to reduce food loss and wastage, as it will increase the country’s capacity to provide internationally marketable packaging for local agro-processed products.

Once completed, the facility will accommodate the processing and packaging of a range of products such as pasteurised milk, natural fruit juices, and water, as well as a myriad of bread-like products, including hamburger buns, cookies, biscuits, croissants, bagels, and donuts.

Recently, the ministry, through the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC), commissioned $37 million worth of equipment for the facility.

Six water tanks, two forklifts, four pallet jacks, five trollies, and one sewing machine were commissioned to aid in processing fresh fruit and vegetables for export.

Additionally, 11 computers with Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), and 16 office desks and chairs were procured to set up offices for the packaging facility, extension workstations, and other processing facilities nationwide.

During the commissioning of those pieces of equipment, Mustapha reiterated that the agro-processing sector’s investment is part of the government’s efforts to enhance the country’s agricultural sector for increased food security, not only in Guyana, but also in the wider Caribbean.

“This shows government’s commitment to agro-processing in our country,” Minister Mustapha said, adding: “Guyana is today attracting attention not only regionally, but globally.“Many persons would say, ‘Yes, Guyana is attractive, because of oil and gas,’ but, today, our agriculture sector in the country is taking the region by storm, and we are moving forward to ensure that we have food security.”

The project is also part of the government’s efforts in reducing the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM’s) food-import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.