The Dr. Irfaan Ali-led Administration is moving to establish farmers’ markets across Guyana as part of a wider push to bring producers closer to consumers and reduce the gap between wholesale and retail food prices.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced this at a press conference on Monday, saying work is underway on a nationwide rollout that would allow farmers to sell more of their produce directly to the market, potentially reducing some of the additional costs that accumulate between the farm gate and the final consumer.
“We are now working with farmers to bring their produce directly to the market,” Ali said, explaining that the initiative is intended to address the difference between wholesale and retail prices “in a structured way.”
The President said the Government has already begun testing similar interventions through the Guyana Marketing Corporation, pointing to recent efforts involving chicken and eggs.
The Head of State said chicken prices were reduced by almost half in some markets, while egg prices were also cut substantially.
The proposed farmers’ market network forms part of a broader Government strategy aimed at containing food prices by reducing production costs while increasing domestic output.
The President said international shocks continue to place upward pressure on food prices, citing higher costs for fuel, fertiliser and other agricultural inputs, along with disruptions caused by wars, climate events and global supply-chain pressures.
To cushion those pressures locally, the President pointed to several measures already introduced for farmers.
He said the Government reversed increases in drainage and irrigation charges and land rental fees, a move he estimated is saving farmers approximately $1.4 billion annually.
VAT has also been removed from agricultural machinery and equipment, fertilisers, agrochemicals, pesticides and certain poultry-industry inputs, while zero-rated VAT status was restored on several basic food items, including flour, bread, oats, crackers, biscuits and cooking oil.
Ali said investments have also been made in drainage and irrigation infrastructure, farm-to-market roads and agricultural technology, all intended to reduce production costs and improve productivity.
The farmers’ market initiative, however, would target another part of the food supply chain: the amount consumers ultimately pay after produce leaves the farm.
By creating more opportunities for farmers to sell directly into markets, the Government is seeking to shorten that chain and reduce the price difference between what producers receive and what consumers pay.
The plan comes as Guyana continues to grapple with food-price pressures despite wider economic growth.
