President Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced that the government is considering new legislation to ensure supermarkets dedicate a specific shelf space to local produce.
President Ali made the announcement during a recent meeting with cash crop farmers in East Berbice, where he outlined a series of upcoming initiatives aimed at supporting and growing the agricultural sector.
“We have to build cold storage facilities in this region to help farmers extend the shelf life of their produce,” President Ali told farmers. “We also need to invest in modern packaging so your goods can reach markets here and across the Caribbean.”
The President noted that while some supermarkets already feature shelves dedicated to Guyanese produce, others still don’t. To change this, the government is considering legislation that would require all supermarkets to carry local agricultural and agro-processed goods on clearly marked shelves.
“When you walk into a supermarket, there should be no question about where the Guyanese produce is. It must be visible and available. This will help us expand the market and support sustainable production,” Ali said.
The President also pointed to the importance of partnerships between farmers and the state. He spoke about plans to establish a special development fund that would provide capital support to farmers. This fund, he explained, would help ease delays in payments and improve cash flow, especially for those struggling between crop cycles.
“Sometimes farmers are already halfway into their second crop and only now getting paid for the fourth. That’s why we need new mechanisms and a sense of trust in our partnerships,” he said.
Additionally, the President reminded farmers of the recently launched fertiliser support programme. Under this initiative, those with 30 acres or more can either receive fertiliser directly or opt for its cash equivalent.
Meanwhile, this is not the first time the government has stepped in to support local agriculture.
In 2023, the Dr. Irfaan Ali-led administration rolled out a ‘Buy Local’ campaign encouraging supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels to purchase produce from local farmers. That initiative provided improved market access for small-scale growers and was supported by promotional campaigns across various media platforms.
