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Growing export-ready agribusiness in Guyana

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.

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