Growing export-ready agribusiness in Guyana A
healthy agricultural corridor is sprouting in Guyana, thanks to
public-private collaboration between farmers, investors, government,
and research facilities, brought together by GTIS. The most visible
fruit of their efforts so far is a demonstration farm to teach local
farmers state-of-the-art industrial farming techniques, like drip
irrigation calibrated with the exact amount of water, fertilizer and
nutrients needed at various stages—which also minimizes run-off. Such
technology is taught at the farm by Shigam,
an Israeli agricultural company, which is building a $3 million,
200-acre farm in Guyana, including a private packinghouse with capacity
to sort and ship produce from 1,000 acres. Shigam is looking to partner
with local farmers who grow export-grade fruits and vegetables, which
it can then ship to markets in the US, Caribbean, and EU. The firm has
teamed up with its first local grower, Bounty Farm Ltd., which already
does contract poultry farming with 90 farmers around Guyana, but is
exploring different products, building a full acre of new greenhouses
with technical assistance from Shigam. GTIS is keeping the momentum
going, working with the Government of Guyana to fast-track Shigam’s
investment and connecting the company with farmers. The project is also
seeking additional technical assistance through groups such as the
USAID-funded Farmer to Farmer program, IICA, CHF, and the MASHAV Center for International Cooperation in Israel, as well as providing drip-irrigation equipment for farmers who can’t afford start-up capital.  View this article here: http://www.carana.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=402:growing-export-ready-agribusiness-in-guyana&catid=63:archices&Itemid=100
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