More opportunities for Small Scale Farmers through market based approach

stuffGeorgetown: Farmers are soon to benefit from assistance in having their products and services marketed through the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC).

        The Ministry of Agriculture through a collaborative approach with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), has been working to ensure farmers, especially small scale, have access to market opportunities.

        Today, the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), held a ‘Honey Exposition’ allowing entrepreneurs from near and far to showcase their local products in a structured approach.

        “This initiative has been a tremendous one which has assisted not only my business to access market, but everyone else who has products out here…we have been able to sell our products as persons have been supporting this venture,” Apiculturist Linden Stewart said.

        Agriculture Minister Hon. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who graced the occasion,committed to having the GMC on a monthly basis promote local products and services.

        He lauded the agro processors for being highly organized alluding to the fact that much work has been put in this area which has significantly aided them in accessing market opportunities.

        The Guyana Shop will soon partner with major supermarkets in Regions 2, 3, 5, 6 and 10 allowing persons access to the local products.

        The exhibitors were also encouraged to work together with the aim of further expanding the sector.

        Meanwhile, IICA’s representative to Guyana, Mr. Wilmot Garnett spoke of the marketing aspect of which IICA has been playing a major role to have develop.

        He added that prior, the marketing aspect by farmers have been significantly lacking hence, IICA playing a role in working with the farmers to have this remedied.

        The next event slated for December 6, 2013 will see Pineapple producers showcasing their products.