AGRICULTURE Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, on Thursday, commissioned the Hope Dehydrating Facility at Hope Estate on the East Coast of Demerara.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), the $14.3 million facility will benefit over 200 persons including farmers, agro-processors, women, youth, and other stakeholders, allowing them to improve their business development skills while earning additional income.

While delivering the feature address, Minister Mustapha said the facility marks a significant step forward in our national strategy to enhance agro-processing capabilities, which are critical to the future of agriculture in Guyana.

He also said the facility’s establishment signifies further steps taken by the government to not only process food; but to empower the nation’s farmers, enhance food security, and create a more resilient agricultural sector.

The new facility is equipped with two state-of-the-art electric dehydrators, each featuring 80 trays designed for the efficient and uniform drying of a variety of agricultural produce, including fruits, vegetables, and ground provisions, DPI said.