Guyana is steadfastly progressing with its ambitious endeavor to inaugurate a $14 million regional food hub, positioning itself as a principal food production center for the entire Caribbean.
Agriculture Minister outlines vision
Zulfikar Mustapha, the Agriculture Minister, met with the President of the Islamic Development Bank, Dr. Mohammed Sulaiman, and emphasized Guyana’s desire to become the regional food hub.
“We want Guyana to be the food hub, the primary production hub of the Caribbean so that we could supply the Caribbean. What we have, our colleagues in the Caribbean don’t have. We have arable flat land and abundant fresh water. Now with the investment coming on board, we can modernize the infrastructure, and start ramping up the productions,” he said.
A facility for the proposed food hub has been pinpointed along the Soesdyke /Linden Highway in the nation.
A united front against food import costs
Guyana leads the charge among Caribbean Community countries to substantially decrease the region’s hefty food import expenditure.
The goal is a commendable 25 per cent reduction by the year 2025. Mustapha shared that in pursuit of this objective, a collaborative effort with the State of Roraima in Brazil is in the works.
Finance Ministry engages regional partners
Dr. Ashni Singh, Guyana’s Finance Minister, disclosed ongoing deliberations with Mia Mottley, the Prime Minister of Barbados.
These talks are centered on facilitating the transport of inputs from Northern Brazil through Guyana to Barbados and conversely, enhancing regional cooperation and efficiency in the agricultural sector.
“We see the regional food hub as very much a regional initiative…as a piece of infrastructure that will contribute to a more efficient market for agricultural products, across the entire Caribbean and Northern South America,” Singh said.
Logistics sector set to flourish
He also shared that the food hub is anticipated to invigorate the logistics industry within Guyana, facilitating the seamless transit of goods, services, and people across the region.
The government will partially finance the project.
Clear mission for agricultural competitiveness
Mustapha shared the mission of Guyana is clear, and that is to make the local agriculture sector more competitive in addition to developing high-yielding varieties, pest-resistant and climate-resilient varieties.
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