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Since 2020, Region 5 (Mahaica–Berbice) has been at the forefront of Guyana’s strategy to strengthen national food security, with over 35 agro-processing facilities now in full operation throughout the region. This initiative reflects a nationwide commitment to boost value-added agricultural production, decrease reliance on imports, and secure consistent food supplies for all citizens. In key agricultural centers like Mahaica, Mahaicony, and Blairmont, these facilities are converting fresh produce into market-ready products such as jams, cassava bread, plantain chips, sauces, and seasonings. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, these investments have helped reduce post-harvest losses—a long-standing issue that previously drained farmers’ incomes and productivity.
(Ministry of Agriculture, Guyana). The Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) has supported this growth by offering technical guidance, equipment, and training to local processors, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, ensuring adherence to food safety standards and improving market competitiveness (GMC Annual Reports).
These developments also align with the broader Caribbean Community (CARICOM) “25 by 2025” initiative, which aims to slash regional food imports by 25% by 2025. Region 5’s agro-processing capacity directly feeds into this regional ambition, enabling local goods to access not only domestic markets but also export routes across the Caribbean (Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Guyana). To reinforce this value chain, the government has invested in supporting infrastructure such as feeder roads, cold storage, and modern packaging facilities—projects funded through both national budgets and international partners like the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) (IDB Project Reports). Beyond processing capacity, these new facilities have delivered significant employment benefits, creating over 500 jobs for local communities, with particular opportunities for women and youth in Mahaica and Mahaicony since 2020 (Guyana Chronicle, March 2024).
What is unfolding in Region 5 represents more than industrial growth; it is a deliberate move toward food self-sufficiency. By equipping farmers and agro-entrepreneurs with the means to process and sell their produce locally, the government is laying the foundation for a resilient, sustainable food system that benefits all Guyanese. This progress stands as a testament to effective policy, targeted investment, and the determination to secure the country’s food future—a vision of development in motion, driven by the Guyanese Government and rooted in the fertile lands of Region 5.
The Guyana Project is an independent media platform delivering fact-checked, ground-level reporting on politics, economy, and public life in Guyana. With a focus on transparency and development, we bring unfiltered news and thoughtful analysis to help shape a more informed, forward-looking nation.
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