THE Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) hosted an ‘Agriculture Capacity Building Workshop’ recently at the Regional Democratic Council boardroom at Anna Regina, Region Two.
Over 20 local farmers attended the session, which focused on practical strategies and skills to elevate farming practices and boost agricultural success. The workshop covered essential topics, including “Farming as a Business,” “Access to Finance,” “Access to Markets,” “Good Agricultural Practices,” “Climate-Smart Innovations,” and “The Importance of Nutrients in Agriculture.”
GCCI’s initiative aligns with Guyana’s goal of establishing itself as the Caribbean’s agricultural breadbasket and supporting the region’s aim to reduce its food- import bill by 25% by 2025. The chamber has remained a strong proponent of sustainable agricultural development, highlighted by its
establishment of an Agriculture Committee dedicated to capacity-building efforts nationwide.
Brian Edwards, Chairperson of the GCCI’s Agriculture Committee, emphasised the importance of standardising practices across the sector: “This initiative aims to enhance the quality of produce, while fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among farmers, encouraging them to view farming as a business. Through effective record-keeping and financial management, farmers can grow their operations and become eligible for financial support from institutions, if needed.”
This ongoing project, which has been running for over two years, is conducted in collaboration with the World University Services of Canada and is funded by Global Affairs Canada. It represents Guyana’s first large-scale public-private agricultural partnership, drawing on expertise from the Ministry of
Agriculture and numerous agencies, including the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), the Guyana Food Safety Authority (GFSA), and the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI).
Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, a notable advocate of such training initiatives, highlighted her own success story in the coconut water export business, attributing her achievements to the support and skills gained through similar programmes. “While some seek out the latest entertainment, I’ve always prioritised training,” she noted, adding that her expansion into coconut processing has yielded substantial market gains.
GCCI’s overarching goal is to empower small farmers to expand their businesses and venture into agro-processing, creating value-added products that can drive the industry forward. The chamber reaffirmed its commitment to supporting agriculture in Guyana through collaboration and results-oriented approaches that benefit the local and regional economy.
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