Key infrastructural investments in the agro-processing sector in just two years are already yielding significant fiscal returns. Export earnings soared by a noteworthy 61 percent in 2022, netting $897M.
According to information provided to the Department of Public Information (DPI), agro-processed exports have seen a substantial increase from 1,071 metric tonnes in 2021 to 1,724 metric tonnes in 2022 since over 2,500 farmers, agro-processors, wholesalers and retailers now have access to certified agro-processing facilities in their regions.
Guyana Standard understands that some 12 agro-processing facilities have been established in several administrative regions to date. These food processing factories were established in Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Nine, and Ten, under the leadership of Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha.
In addition, over 140 new local products have been introduced to the Guyanese market through the new Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC).
As a result of the significant investments in these areas, the agro-processed export earnings earned the country to $897M.
Apart from investing in the agro-processing industry, the government is also investing billions in the gas-to-energy project located in Wales, Region Three.
When this project comes on stream, it is expected to further advance the local agro-processing industry, which will bring significant benefits to the country, including employment opportunities and increased trade in Guyana.
The government has also been investing heavily in the food sector to ensure it moves from a producer of primary farming to one of equitable value-added products. The establishment of the food processing hub is part of the government’s wider strategic plan to provide massive resources for the nation’s agriculturists to produce and export value-added products.
It is also part of the matrix of training opportunities for Guyanese in all aspects of economic activity.
Importantly, it will contribute to achieving CARICOM’s goal of reducing the billion dollars food important bill by 25 per cent by the year 2025.
