—turns family farming legacy into thriving agro-processing business, ‘Propa Local’

IN the East Coast Demerara village of Buxton, 38-year-old entrepreneur, Abigale John, is building a name for herself in Guyana’s agro-processing sector with her brand ‘Propa Local’, producing herbal teas, fruit-flavoured vinegars, and wines from locally grown fruits and plants.

Coming from a long line of farmers, agro-processors, and skilled tradespeople, John’s roots are firmly grounded in agricultural tradition. For four generations, her family has farmed in Guyana—today led by her brother, who operates the family farm at Canal #1 Polder, West Bank Demerara.

During an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, John said her venture was born out of the need to earn a living after her small tee-shirt printing business began to decline.
Under the guidance of her uncle, Aubrey John, the family’s expert winemaker, she switched gears during the COVID-19 pandemic and started making wines from local fruits supplied by the family farm.

Before launching her own label, she had actively promoted her uncle’s GG Wines, selling them from her home in Middle Walk, seaside Buxton, and marketing them on the local airwaves with passion.

This experience opened doors and inspired her to branch out on her own.

FROM PINEAPPLES TO NEW PRODUCTS
For more than 70 years, the John family has produced pineapples on a large scale. In 2019, Abigale saw an opportunity to diversify beyond wines. She began experimenting with pineapple vinegar, which quickly became a customer favourite for marinades and salads. Soon after, she introduced other fruit-flavoured vinegars, including anti-desma and mango varieties.

She revealed that the pineapple vinegar was born, and it was an instant favourite for customers and then she also introduced other fruit-flavoured vinegars.
As a Buxtonian, she decided to launch her small business with the brand “Propa Local”, introducing her line of herbal teas, wines and vinegars, all available on the local market.
When her own business of tee-shirt printing died, she wanted to venture into winemaking to recoup losses and take a chance on a new business and in 2022, her wine-making business was conceptualised.

John’s persistence has paid off. She has since become certified and registered, earning the ‘Made in Guyana’ mark of approval from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) in 2024. Her products are now available at the Guyana Shop on Robb Street, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), and select mini-marts at gas stations.

Her biggest customer base is overseas-based Guyanese who purchase products to take abroad. A chance experience, gifting visitors bottles of pineapple vinegar along with their wine purchases, proved to be a breakthrough, with rave reviews encouraging her to expand production.

She has also showcased her products at both local and overseas expos and will be exhibiting at Guyana’s Largest Building Expo from August 14 to 17 at the National Stadium.
From her showroom and processing facility in Buxton, John employs one full-time worker and engages six local youths on a part-time basis. They pick moringa leaves, jamoon, and other fruits, earning income while contributing to the business.
Currently, John is upgrading her packaging and maintaining ISO GY 9001 certification, ensuring her products meet international quality standards.