The New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) says the agro-packaging facility at Parika has processed over 160 tonnes of vegetables and fruits, primarily for export, since it started operations in October.

Nizam Hassan

According to GMC General Manager Nizam Hassan the $89M facility has the capacity to pack and process 40,000 lbs of produce per day and is an integral part of the agriculture ministry’s ‘Grow more food’ campaign. He said the factory is facilitating agro-processing training for farmers and all produce is processed free of cost to farmers and exporters.

In a press release the Government Information Agency (GINA) said the Parika facility was strategically placed at that location as there is a farmers’ landing that allows easy transportation of produce from riverain communities. It said too the factory has the capacity to prepare more produce.

Hassan noted that there is an increase in exports and the GMC intends to secure even more. In order to facilitate this GMC has been improving its marketing services in areas such as providing information on pricing and crop selection.