–further investments to be made, establishment of new facilities on the cards

WITH ongoing investments in the agriculture sector, Guyana has produced some $15 million in high-value crops in the first quarter of 2023.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, said those crops which included broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and other leafy vegetables were produced under the Youth Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship programme.

The programme which was launched by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali back in January 2022, saw the construction of several shades houses and the introduction of hydroponics and vertical agriculture to produce high-value crops.

Broccoli, cauliflower and carrot form a large part of the country’s food-import bill, with data suggesting that consumption of the vegetables is increasing with each passing year.
This newspaper had previously reported that, in 2018, the import value for carrot, broccoli and cauliflower was $1.583 billion, while in 2019 and 2021 the import value stood at $1.962 billion and $2.626 billion, respectively.

Meanwhile, to further boost the production of high-valued crops in the country, plans are moving apace for the roll out of a US$15 million hydroponics facility.

This initiative is a partnership between Israel-based hydroponics company, KARLIGO Inc., and the Government of Guyana.

Mustapha said that the first shipment of supplies arrived in Guyana and by the end of next month, production could commence.

“The hydroponics that the Israeli company want to start, all their materials and equipment are in the country. We are now helping them to prepare the land to add crush and run to it. The water is connected, the light is connected and the electricity is connected. By the end of next month, they will be able to set up everything there,” Mustapha said.

Approximately US$15,750,000 is being invested by the company to execute the project which will involve a three-phase hydroponic production system based on nutrient film techniques and soilless production systems.

In the first phase of the project, the company will construct a 2,000 square-metre state-of-the-art hydroponic system, and install a cold room, packaging facility, harvesting equipment, irrigation controllers, fertiliser mixers, water recycling system, and emergency water storage.

Phase two will see the construction and installation of an advanced greenhouse system. Meanwhile, Phase three will see the construction of a regional distribution centre to store, process and package vegetables for local and international markets.

December last, Mustapha had said that KARLIGO Inc., is one of several investors who had expressed interest in constructing a hydroponic project in Guyana.
The company was engaged by the government since October 2022 about developing the project and later a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the company and the ministry to execute the project.

With the company’s expertise, the produce is expected to meet all the necessary United States Department of Agriculture and European Food Safety Authority standards and regulations, paving the way for regional and international export opportunities.

Hydroponics is a technology used to grow plants in fertiliser solution containing varying amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Simply put, it is the technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil.