Guyanese Diaspora. It is estimated that locally agro-processed commodities command around 60% of the local market for such products. Processed condiments have a CARICOM market worth more than $US250M. Apart from the individual enterprises, there is also the existence of Agro-processing Groups in Guyana. These groups include; the Mangrove Women’s group, the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) and the Pomeroon Women’s Agro Processors Association. The Mangrove Women’s group for instance benefits from technical support from the Ministry of Agriculture in the form of training, assistance in creation of packaging materials, markets for their products among others. In return for the provision of these services, the individual groups which comprise the Mangrove Women’s group work in sync with the Ministry of Agriculture in creating an awareness of the importance of preserving the mangrove in their respective communities. On a larger scale, there is the Women Agro- Processors Development Network (WADN) which consists of an association of six Agro- processing groups. These Agro-processors are located in rural communities around the country. This network of Agroprocessors serves to empower its member groups specifically through improving their entrepreneurial skills. The small and micro- enterprises’ production generally satisfy the local market. The primary agro-processed commodities being produced for local consumption and export are: • • • • • • • •
Sauces (Pepper [Many Varieties], Casareep, Greens Seasonings), Powdered Condiments (Various Types of Meat Seasonings), Snacks (Various Types of Chips Made from Plantain, Eddo, Sweet Potato and Cassava), Juices (Various Types of Fruit Juices), Wines (Various Types of Wines Produced from Local Fruits and Barks) Coconut Water, Coconut Oil Including Virgin Coconut Oil, Coconut Milk, Coconut Cream Fruit Flavoured Yogurt Cassava Bread
Government Projects that the following items are commodities that have huge potential in agro-processing in coming years: • • •
Bottled Coconut Water-Marketed as Functional Foods Virgin Coconut Oil-Can also be Marketed as Functional Foods A Diversified Range of Sauces such as Pepper Sauce in Various Forms ¤
For further information on investing in Guyana’s Agriculture and Agro- Processing sector Contact: Ministry of Agriculture Regent St & Vlissengen Road, Georgetown Tel: 223 7844 Fax: 227 2978 Email: ps.moagy@gmail.com Website: www.agriculture.gov.gy
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