– GMC team to assist farmers with harvesting season underway

PRESIDENT Irfaan Ali has assured pineapple farmers from Mainstay/Whyaka that his government will secure additional markets for their produce, especially as the pineapple harvesting season gains momentum.

The commitment came during a recent outreach when Luiana, a female pineapple farmer from the village, raised concerns about the lack of available markets for the large volumes of pineapples currently being harvested.

“We have tractor loads of pineapples coming out of Mainstay, but we don’t have enough buyers,” she said. “I have six acres under cultivation, and we want to get good prices for our produce. We are also asking for duty-free concessions for pineapple farmers.”

In response, President Irfaan Ali emphasised his administration’s commitment to ensuring no farmer is left behind. He announced that a team from the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) will visit the village shortly to work directly with farmers.

“The GMC team will come here and work with you to secure ready markets for your pineapples,” President Ali assured. “We will ensure that every pineapple harvested in Mainstay finds a buyer.”

Mainstay has long been known for producing some of the sweetest pineapples in Guyana, and the fruit has become a key source of income for many residents. Local farmers expressed pride in their produce, noting that with better market access, the village could become a major supplier not just locally, but also to regional and international markets.

“This is our livelihood,” one farmer shared. “With government support and access to new buyers, we can do more, earn more, and expand our farms.”

Alongside the request for markets, farmers also called for duty-free concessions to help them reinvest in equipment and expand operations. President Ali noted that such requests would be considered within the framework of agricultural development policies aimed at empowering small and medium-scale farmers.

The President’s visit underscored his administration’s ongoing efforts to strengthen rural agriculture, ensure market access, and promote agro-processing and export opportunities. As harvesting continues in Mainstay, pineapple farmers are hopeful that the government’s intervention will bring much-needed relief and open new doors for growth.