-by Nakasia Logan
Farmers at Canal No.1, West Bank, Demerara, are seeing new opportunities to grow their income with the opening of a $58.5 million agro-processing facility designed to reduce spoilage and expand markets for their produce.
The facility was commissioned today by Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha. NCN spoke to some farmers who stated that it has been a challenge to get from farm to market, and they say that this agro-processing facility will really help them to preserve their fruits and, of course, prevent wastage.
“I am a pineapple farmer, and it’s a seasonal something. I also do pineapple jam, so with this facility now, I’m looking into fruit juice,” Lorraine Daniels said.
Tameshwar Persaud also shared his thoughts, saying, “So this thing that the president made here for us, it will really benefit a lot of farmers, not only me, every farmer in this community. So I think the farmers will have to bring their produce and go to work. So I encourage the farmers to come out and bring their produce to this place here,”
At the commissioning, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said the initiative is part of a wider effort to move farmers beyond primary production and into agro-processing.
“We have this $58.5 million agro-processing facility. This here has been strategically placed in this community, as we know that Canal No.1 is an area that produces a lot of fruits, and I’m hoping that the farmers in this community take full advantage of this facility. This will make approximately 15 facilities we have built across this country,” he said.
Equipped with solar drying technology, the plant will allow farmers to turn perishable crops into products such as dried fruits, seasonings, and juices, extending shelf life and opening new market opportunities.
It will operate free of cost and is supported by its own generator and water supply to ensure continuous production.