President Irfaan Ali has praised the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Farmers’ Market as a family-oriented event that plays a vital role in fostering community engagement, supporting local agriculture, and inspiring young minds to explore opportunities in the agricultural sector.
Farmers’ markets are renowned for their contribution to promoting the local economy, sustainable agriculture, and providing communities with fresh, locally sourced produce.
During his Saturday morning tour of the Farmers’ Market, President Dr. Irfaan Ali engaged with local farmers, vendors, and visitors, expressing appreciation for the vibrant market atmosphere.
President Irfaan Ali:
“What is very interesting and what I enjoyed the most here was seeing families—the children, the parents, the grandchildren—experiencing the market. I think this is a good example of what makes Guyanese have that market experience, that family experience. Many children, especially in urban settings, do not have that experience. Coming here gives them the opportunity to interact with farmers, engage with agriculture, raises their level of awareness, makes them inquisitive, and encourages them to consider agriculture through these initiatives.”
The President’s emphasis on the family-centric nature of the market aligns with the belief that such experiences contribute significantly to the cultural fabric of Guyana.
Chief of Staff Brigadier Omar Khan also commented on the event, highlighting the positive impact on community relationships.
Brigadier Omar Khan, Chief of Staff – GDF:
“We had about 5000 persons passing through in and out, and you could look at the crowds here. In an environment like this, we are promoting a relationship between the vendor and the public.”
Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha shared his plans to make farmer’s markets a regular feature across the country.
Minister Zulfikar Mustapha:
“What we are trying to do is ensure we replicate this across the country. This is the fourteenth farmers market for the year, and I am hoping that we can have it in all the regions and make it monthly to bring down the cost for this produce. Farm gate prices are much cheaper than when the middlemen buy these produce and take it to the market.”
With more than a dozen farmer’s markets held across Guyana, the commitment to making it a regular occurrence is a step towards ensuring accessibility to high-quality, affordable products for all.
Reported by Nakasia Logan for NCN News