Georgetown : Spice cultivation, part of Government’s diversification programme for the agriculture sector, has proven a successful venture in the hinterland and to ensure value- added, a spice packaging plant will become soon begin operations in Hosororo, Region One, one of the regions where spices are being cultivated.
Other packaging plants which will produce semi-packaged spices such as nutmegs, ginger, black pepper and turmeric will be opened in Regions Eight and Nine.Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy stated that the move by Government is intended to reduce Guyana’s importation bill, while at the same time increase the country’s exports.
Guyana imports spices to supply local demand, even as the country’s Food Import Bill continues on the increase, standing at the moment at about US$200M annually.
“At present, hinterland producers cannot compete with coastal producers, as the transportation cost from the hinterland remains relatively high….as such this move by Government is intended to significantly reduce this,” he said.
The Ministry of Agriculture is now working to reduce cost by semi-processing the spices, with much focus on turmeric. This will see the Ministry buying the spices from farmers, semi-processing them at the various plants and then selling them to Sterling Products Limited to be packaged.Once completed, the finished products will be sold to the local market and exported as well.
“For every eight pound of raw turmeric, you get one pound when processed and so this will significantly reduce the transport cost,” he said.
The introduction of the spice programme is part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Diversification programme, which targets an increase in the export of non-traditional agricultural commodities.
As such, efforts are apace to introduce new crops to ensure that production is heightened especially in remote communities.
In the past, spices have been incorporated on a large scale basis, as a new crop in hinterland areas which boast suitable soil type. Among these are onions, carrots, turmeric, black peppers, ginger, nutmeg and Irish potatoes.
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