President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali says Guyana is gearing up to start flying fresh produce from the interior directly to CARICOM markets within the next year, a move expected to reshape regional food trade and create new opportunities for hinterland farmers.
The announcement came on Thursday as the Head of State turned the sod for the new airport terminal at the Bartica aerodrome. He said the initiative is tied to government’s broader push to strengthen food security, fix long-standing transport hurdles, and position Guyana as a leading supplier of fresh foods to the Caribbean.
According to President Ali, improved air connectivity will shorten the time it takes for produce to move from interior farms to export points, giving farmers in Region Seven and surrounding areas more direct access to regional buyers. He noted that government is working with air operators and regulatory bodies to build a logistical system that allows agricultural goods to move seamlessly from hinterland communities straight into CARICOM states.
“Within 12 months, we will fly food out from the interior, directly into CARICOM countries,” President Ali stated, adding that the shift will help mining communities that are branching out into agriculture and agro-processing.
He said the initiative supports CARICOM’s goal of cutting the region’s food import bill by 25% and gives Guyanese farmers an opportunity to scale up production, expand value-added processing, and benefit from higher export earnings. President Ali stressed that development must reach every part of the country, not only the coast, and this plan is another step toward ensuring that all regions share in the nation’s growth.
