GEORGETOWN, Guyana, The —na authorities says the agricultural sector earned greater than GUY$919 million (One Guyana greenback=Udollar = US$0.004in income throughout the export of non-traditional crops the primary half of this 12 months from vulture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, addressing the primary annual awards and dinner ceremony of the Guyana Advertising and marketing Company (GMC) on Tuesday night time, mentioned the income represents a 12.7 % improve over the corresponding interval final 12 months.
“Within the first half of 2024, Guyana has made vital strides in exporting non-traditional agricultural items. Now we have seen a 12.7 % improve in comparison with final 12 months, reaching over 4156 metric tonnes with a price exceeding GUY$ 919 million,” Mustapha mentioned, underscoring the potential for additional development within the sector.
Mustapha informed the ceremony that by growing exports, Guyana earns international trade and is called a dependable provider of high-quality meals merchandise.
“You, the exporters, are the bridge between our fields and the world. You’re remodeling Guyanese produce into international manufacturers by way of your dedication to high quality, logistics, and market analysis,” he mentioned, emphasizing the viewers’s essential function within the sector’s success.
“Now we have relied on exporting uncooked materials for too lengthy, leaving the worth along with different international locations. “It’s a must to change that narrative,” Mustapha mentioned, including that by remodeling native produce into high-value merchandise, jobs are created, livelihoods are boosted, and native meals safety is strengthened.
“Agro-processing empowers our ladies and is a good alternative for our youth. This trade at present employs roughly or simply over 2000 individuals in small and medium-sized classes,” Mustapha mentioned.
He informed the ceremony that the GMC would proceed to boost agro-processors’agroprocessors’ capability by offering coaching, large-scale manufacturing, and improved post-harvest administration by way of storage services.
“As a rustic, for too lengthy, we have now been exporting main merchandise… It’s time that we add worth to Guyanese merchandise,” Mustapha mentioned.
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