–country aims to produce almost 75 per cent of local demand, President Ali says

GUYANA will soon double its floriculture production to create more jobs and supply at least 75 per cent of the local demand.

“By the end of next year, we will be producing almost 75 per cent of all the fresh flowers we need in Guyana, reducing the import that exists. This project is led primarily by youths and single women,” President, Dr. Irfaan Ali had announced in his address at the recent signing ceremony for the sale of carbon credits.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha elaborated on the project during a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle, on Tuesday.

He said that within the next two months, production of roses and other exotic flowers will increase under President Ali’s One Guyana Rose Project.

Minister Mustapha said that the project will see Guyana tapping into a new, lucrative market, that will not only generate employment for Guyanese youth and women, but also see the country becoming a hub for floriculture production in the western hemisphere.

“We are seeing a lot of young people being involved in that project, a lot of single parents, that’s why President Ali started the project to create employment,” Mustapha said, adding: “We are seeing the demand for a lot of fresh flowers, fresh roses in Guyana and in matter of two years’ time we hoping to meet all of Guyana’s demand and the rest of the region… it is a very important project for us because I think Guyana is the only country in this hemisphere doing it,” the Agriculture Minister related.

Sale of the fresh roses commenced last month at the National Agricultural Research and Extension institute (NAREI). It was reported that interested florists or individuals could make direct contact with Melissa Ferreira on telephone 220-5730 (NAREI Compound) for purchase.