GCCI partners with WUSC to build agro-processing capacity of women farmers in Region Five
The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), in collaboration with World University Service of Canada, which is being funded by Global Affairs Canada, the Guyana Marketing Corporation and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute, has embarked on a project geared at building the agro-processing capacity of 15 women farmers in Region Five.
On September 19, a kick-off meeting was held with the beneficiaries, which will be followed by training on post-harvest handling, packaging, and other related topics. Ultimately, the objective is to equip the women with the skills needed to utilise a processing facility in the region to add value to their products and support them with getting their brands on supermarket shelves.
Through this initiative, it is expected that their productivity and income will increase, while their businesses will be enhanced. During the meeting, which was attended by the GCCI’s Treasurer and Chairperson of the Agriculture Committee, Mr. Brian Edwards; Councillor and Chairperson of the Membership and Diversity Committee, Mrs. Kristia Ramlagan-Prescott, and Vice Chairperson of the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Committee, Ms. Natasha Waddle, the importance of commitment to the process and utilisation of the knowledge gained was underscored. Mr. Edwards emphasised, “We can’t just depend on selling in the market, we are looking at elevating your products so you can have a better income.”
This project is aligned with the Agriculture Committee’s workplan, which aims to support the development of the agricultural sector, while enhancing the capacity of local farmers.
