Green Land of Guyana

Guyana is distinguished as one of the most heavily forested countries in the Caribbean and entire South America, with forest cover spanning a significant portion of the country’s lush landscape. Formerly known as British Guiana during preindependence, Guyana is positioned on the Northern Atlantic Coast of South America. Dating back to the period of colonisation, Guyana was recognised for its potential in the food production industry (Country Facts, 2022). Generally, Guyana is known for the production of two primary foods, rice and sugar. Still, the list quickly expands to food items such as cocoa, coffee, coconut, copra, and a medley of fruits and vegetables (FAO, 2010).

Guyana’s Natural Regions

Guyana boasts the largest, pristine rainforest in the world, which facilitates approximately 10 percent of the world’s known biodiversity, is part of the Amazon basin and accounts for 270 million hectares of land. According to the Guiana Shield (2022), there are four natural regions in Guyana: the low coastal plain, the hilly sand and clay area, the interior savannah, and forested highlands.

Guyana’s Ecosystems

The natural regions provide specific ecosystems for plants and animals to thrive. The ecosystems comprise forest, savannah, freshwater, wetland, coastal, and marine. About four percent of known animals and 2.4 percent of plant species are believed to exist in Guyana’s thick forest. The ecosystem naturally facilitates the growth of many varieties of tropical plants, including superfoods, which are most beneficial to human health (Guiana Shield, 2022).

What are Superfoods?

Superfoods are foods with very high nutrient content and bioactive phytochemicals that are highly beneficial to human health. Findings from the research of several fruits and vegetables indicate they contain nutrients the human body requires to stay healthy and avoid many illnesses. Guyana’s tropical ecosystems present the ideal habitat for the growth of many fruits and vegetables that are superfoods. These include kale, nuts, garlic, ginger, turmeric, and moringa. Moringa and kale are two of the superfoods cultivated in Guyana that offer exceptional nutritional benefits.

Cultivation and Nutritional Benefits of Moringa

Scientifically classified as moringa oleifera, according to PROESTOS (2018), moringa is found in abundance in Guyana, and some cultures refer to it as the miracle tree. The moringa plant grows very fast, reaching a height of approximately 10-12 meters, with fragile, drooping branches and a whitish bark. The moringa plant requires very little water for growth and is generally grown in welldrained sandy or loamy soil under dry conditions with uneven rainfall patterns (S. Devalaraja et al., 2011).

Moringa contains a significant number of proteins, calcium, iron, and Vitamin C. According to D. Wolfe (2009), scientists have found the moringa leaf contains 7 times more Vitamin C than oranges; 10 times more Vitamin A than carrot; 17 times more calcium than milk; 15 times more potassium than a banana; 25 times more iron than spinach; and 9 times more protein than yoghurt.

Cultivation and Nutritional Benefits of Kale

Kale, scientifically referred to as Brassica oleracea var. sabellica, is an evergreen cruciferous vegetable characterised by very long leaves. In recent times, kale emerged as a familiar superfood, with many journals classifying it as one of the healthiest vegetables. A versatile crop that can be grown in various soil types, kale is best cultivated in low acid or neutral (pH 6-6.5), deep, loamy textured soil, with proper water and air capacity.

Kale is known to contain very high folate, riboflavin, and Vitamin K and is considered an excellent source of calcium. One serving of kale is believed to contain 100 percent and 40 percent of the recommended daily intake of Vitamins A and C, respectively. Kale is also known to constitute Vitamins B1, B2, B6 and E, folic acid and niacin, fatty acids, and other essential minerals (Maria et al., 2008).

Cultivate and Develop

Guyana’s rich tropical ecosystems provide the ideal habitat for cultivation and present an abundance of opportunities for developing and utilising numerous superfoods. These factors position Guyana well on the trajectory of becoming the breadbasket of the Caribbean and further afield. Developmentally, access to modern agricultural practices and food processing Mondays technology is expanding. However, cognisant of the remarkable benefits, every Guyanese is challenged to once again actively engage in primary and innovative ways of cultivating and integrating superfoods into their diets. Further, there are many opportunities to develop production businesses to increase local, regional and international access to locally grown superfoods.

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