With the aim of promoting local businesses, attracting new investments and harnessing new technologies and skills, the Essequibo Chamber is preparing to host the second annual Agro Fair in the Region.
According to the Public Relation Officer Mr. Ravi D. Mohan, the Region has the potential to be self-sustainable and has the capacity to feed the Nation with surplus to export. “It’s like a sleeping giant, all we need to do is to wake him up,” he asserted.
The two day event will be held on the 20th and 21st of this month at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground.
Mr. Mohan further explained that, this year, the Chamber is working assiduously to encourage more businesses to come on board. “Agriculture is the backbone of the Region, with cooperation and good planning we can do it,” he said. He also reminded that, at one time, the Pomeroon was considered the bread basket of the Caribbean, however, owing to poor management and lack of markets many farmers left to seek greener pastures.
Alluding to the success of this year’s activity, he said, “With the demand for water and dried coconuts farmers are now returning to their farms in the Pomeroon; the Chamber feels it can make a difference with the full cooperation of all
stakeholders.”
During the inaugural event last year, the Head of State dubbed Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), as the most productive area in the country, and hailed its vast agricultural potential. This is even as the Region grappled with the deteriorating rice industry. President Granger also noted that the region contributes significantly to Guyana’s food security. He said that while the region is still beset with many challenges, there is great potential for economic development to take place there. He maintained that the Region’s economic activities not only generate wealth, but create jobs for Guyanese. Noting that the region has historically done well with the production of primary agricultural products, President Granger said the regional economy can be made more resilient through diversification into areas such as agro-processing and manufacturing.
The two-day event featured value-added products, including rice and other agro-processed items produced in the region. The New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC) and the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) were among the supporting Government agencies that set up stalls at the event.
According to the Exhibitors in the inaugural event, they participated with the aim of showcasing their products to the Essequibo population. A farmer who was excited to showcase his shade house project said he was pleased to present his project to the population. Newly-established business Barakat Timbers Ltd, located at Charity, Pomeroon River, was also on board. Other participating agencies included Sol, Comfort Sleep, University of Guyana, Big Birds, Natram Ramanand Juice Centre, Red Square Vodka, Travel Span, Amazon Coconut Water, Roosters Coconut Water, Forestry, Massey Limited, Tom Misir, and Samaroo Investment, among others.
