Local farmers are being targeted for more business from Guyana’s expanding hotel industry, as the government moves to create stronger links between agricultural producers and hospitality operators.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said the initiative is intended to give farmers a more dependable market while helping hotels secure a steady supply of locally produced fruits, vegetables, herbs and other agricultural products.
Mustapha, during an engagement with farmers at the Liliendall Community Centre on Wednesday, said greater coordination is needed to ensure production matches what the market requires.
“The issue is not simply whether farmers can produce. The issue is whether we can organize production around the requirements of the market,” the Minister said.
Under the initiative, the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) is expected to help connect farmers with hotels, while the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) will work with the Guyana Chamber of Commerce and Industry to identify farmers capable of supplying the hospitality sector.
Farmers will also be encouraged to meet requirements relating to quality, food safety, packaging and consistent delivery.
With a clearer understanding of the quantities and types of produce required, farmers could also be better positioned to expand production and invest in irrigation, improved planting material, greenhouse technology and machinery.
The initiative is also expected to create opportunities in areas such as transportation, packaging, storage and processing as demand for local produce increases.
Mustapha said the arrangement must benefit both sectors, with farmers receiving sustainable prices while hotels have access to quality local products at competitive prices.
