New GMC to be revamped to provide more support to farmers

The Ministry of Agriculture is accelerating efforts to revamp the Guyana Marketing Corporation (New GMC) to provide more support for farmers.

The New GMC was established to promote locally produced goods by offering the items for sale and linking buyers and sellers locally, regionally and internationally.

However, Minister Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha said the organisation must be restructured to “be more responsive to the needs of the people […] We will ensure that we spend the resources to give you the kind of guidance needed, and establish the necessary infrastructure. We will work along with you to produce […] and will work overtime to meet your needs.”

The Minister gave these assurances duringan outreach to Hogg Island, Wakenaam and Leguan, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three) on Tuesday.

To this end, Minister Mustapha said his Ministry plans to buy produce from farmers on a large scale and resell them to inter-governmental agencies.  This will reduce spoilage and waste, generate revenue, create new markets and create jobs both within and without the region.  Refrigeration trucks would also be purchased, he added.  

“There are a lot of improvements for you in the future. We are putting more measures in place. We will have better conditions for the farmers and there will be more investment in the Agriculture Sector,” Minister Mustapha said. Farmers have welcomed the Minister’s plans and have heaped praises on the Government for fulfilling its campaign promises to advance agriculture.