The Government of Guyana, through its Ministry of Agriculture, has partnered with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to launch two pivotal projects today. This collaboration aims to establish a traceability system for food products and secure export certification for bovine and other small animals.
Funded by grants from the bank’s Special Funds Resources totaling approximately €636,000, the initiatives include the “Development of a Food Products Traceability System for Pineapples and Leafy Greens in Guyana” and the “Bovine Tuberculosis (BTB) and Bovine Brucellosis (BB) to Improve Market Access” projects. These efforts are facilitated by the support of the European Union Economic Partnership Agreement, CARIFORUM, and the CARICOM Standby Facility, highlighting a collaborative approach to enhancing Guyana’s agricultural landscape.
Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, noted the significance of these projects during the launch, stating, “We are pleased to undertake these two projects, which will enhance our agricultural capacity… The first project, the Development of a Food Products Traceability System for Pineapples and Leafy Greens in Guyana, is a transformative initiative that underscores our commitment to ensuring quality and safe food.”
Minister Mustapha also highlighted the critical nature of the second project in addressing the livestock industry’s challenges. He said, “The second project, Bovine Tuberculosis and Bovine Brucellosis to Improve Market Access in Guyana, will address critical issues impacting our livestock industry. These diseases not only pose significant health risks to our cattle population but also hinder market access for our farmers.”
Cyril Gill, Project Manager for the EPA and CSME Standby Facility, provided an overview of the projects’ goals, including the development of strategies for eradicating BTB and BB and establishing a food traceability framework. Gill noted, “As it relates to productivity, this project is based on developing a strategy towards streamlining the eradication of the two diseases. We expect that with the framework in place to manage the reduction of these two diseases we can have better control towards the food systems that we have in the Guyana borders so that we can supply other regional member states with effective and efficient food throughout the system.”
The traceability pilot project will focus on pineapples and leafy greens, particularly in Regions Four and Five, due to their high production and consumption levels. This initiative not only aims to enhance food security but also to support local communities and youth employment in these areas. With the combined efforts of the Government of Guyana, CDB, and international partners, these projects are poised to significantly improve the agricultural sector’s sustainability and competitiveness on a global scale.
