Shadehouses Prove Successful in Guyana

By -
Minister of Agriculture Ramsammy gives the keynote address.
The local chapter of Partners of the Americas in Guyana, in collaboration with the Farmer to Farmer Program, Caribbean Self Reliance International (Casri), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and others, is completing a highly successful shadehouse project funded by the Multilateral Investment Fund of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). On June 5th, an Assembly was organized with close to 200 people attending, including the Minister of Agriculture Leslie Ramsammy and the First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar to showcase the results. The project aimed to establish 20 hydroponic shadehouses in Guyana and it has reached 48, with several more in the final stages of development. The event also showcased locally grown produce from the Hydroponic Shadehouse Producers, who attended the event and received certificates. The Minister of Agriculture spoke about the importance of agriculture in Guyana, both at a household level as well as growing to be able to export. 
Produce being prepared for the Shadehouse Assembly

The idea of hydroponic vegetable production - growing plants without soil either in water or other inert medium - was slow to catch on in Guyana but producers soon saw the benefit of this system. As they achieved success, friends and neighbors became interested and the system spread. Partners of the Americas provided training, technical assistance and some materials but also focused on empowering producers so that they could continue training others. Market linkages are key and shadehouse producers are selling directly to customers but also to restaurants, hotels, and other outlets. This is the key to sustainability for this project.

One of the final hydroponic shadehouses constructed was at the State House at the request of the First Lady of Guyana. She is starting a campaign to have gardens in schools, as well as in households, and she wanted to show students the hydroponic system. She is quite interested in hydroponics personally and plans to attend one of the Partners of the Americas trainings on the topic. This news report shows the launch of her garden, which includes a hydroponic shadehouse but also traditional production systems and a fish pond.

This project and the assembly generated a great deal of local media as well. Below are a selection of articles about the project published in Guyana newspapers and on-line news outlets. This publicity not only shares the success stories but also generates interest in hydroponics. As Partners looks for additional funding to continue this activity, they expect the demand for training and assistance will continue to grow.

Hydroponic vegetable producers crucial to Guyana’s development, June 5:
http://www.guyanachronicleonline.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44558:hydroponic-vegetable-producers-crucial-to-guyanas-development--dr-ramsammy&catid=2:news&Itemid=3

Hydroponic shadehouse producers reaping success, June 6:http://www.guyanatimesgy.com/2012/06/06/hydroponic-shadehouse-producers-reaping-success/

Hydroponic Shadehouse Producers in Guyana get boost, May 10:
http://www.caribbeantrakker.com/2012/05/hydroponic-shadehouse-producers-in-guyana-get-boost/#.T9IgalL9N8E

US specialist to train Guyanese farmers in financial management, business planning, May 10:http://bis.gy/2012/05/us-specialist-to-train-guyanese-farmers-in-financial-management-business-planning/

There are also a number of articles published in the Stabroek News but a subscription is required to read the full article. An example is posted below. If you would like to read this and the other Stabroek News stories, please contact Peggy Carlson, pcarlson@partners.net for a login.

Ensuring the continuity of the Shadehouse Project, June 8:Editorial – Business Section: http://www.stabroeknews.com/2012/business/business-editorials/06/08/ensuring-the-continuity-of-the-shadehouse-project/

Comments

  1. Canna GrowWednesday, June 13, 2012

    This is very inspiring news. Because of this project, many will be motivated to be more concerned in making the environment greener and healthier.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Better Marketing and Communications to Showcase the Work of our Hosts in Colombia

By -
Image
Salva Terra Foundation has focused on supporting vulnerable communities through sustainable agriculture. They work with impoverished populations and victims of violence in Medellin and aim to promote farming and develop local skills to work in the agricultural industry in an ecological manner. This process of bringing together concepts such as social impact, sustainable development, environmental protection, and food security requires excellent outreach and promotion. Therefore, they requested a F2F volunteer to help them develop a communication and marketing plan. The chosen volunteer for this assignment was Dr. Sindy Chapa. She has a B.A. in Mass Media Communications, with a Minor in Television and Art Design, an MBA, and Ph.D. in International Business/Marketing. She is the Director and Associate Professor at the Center for Hispanic Marketing Communication at Florida State University and has won several communications awards. Dr. Chapa decided to use Salva Terra as one of the case ...
Read more

Digital Marketing in Colombia

By -
Image
Digital Marketing is one way that entrepreneurs and producers across the globe can reach new markets and increase sales. But what is digital marketing and how can a small Colombian business use it to maximize the number of people who come across its brand? These are the questions that Zen Naturals was asking itself. Zen Naturals is a natural cosmetic manufacturing company based in Cali, Colombia. Zen Naturals develops natural cosmetics made from exotic ingredients from Colombia’s outstanding biodiversity. Through ethical manufacturing and fair trade practices, they are also taking a leadership role in re-investing in the communities that grow the ingredients used in their products. Currently, Zen Naturals supports more than 95 Colombian quinoa farming communities through Fair-Trade Practices and technical assistance on their production. Zen Naturals is preparing to launch their quinoa facial care products in Whole Foods Markets in the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. in 2017....
Read more

Supporting Anti-Child Labor Projects in Ecuador and Panama

By -
Image
EducaFuturo is a program currently being implemented by Partners of the Americas in Ecuador and Panama. Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), EducaFuturo seeks to combat child labor in both countries through educational programs, vocational training, and livelihood services. F2F has partnered with EducaFuturo on numerous occasions over the past 5 years, sending 7 volunteers to support their efforts in improving the educational outcomes of youth involved in child labor, while also increasing the income opportunities of households to reduce reliance on child labor. Volunteers have provided training on a range of topics, including sustainable production practices, processing, business management, and marketing. In January 2016, F2F volunteer Carmen Pacheco-Borden traveled to Panama to work with native Ngabe-Bugle women’s groups in the tomato farming communities of Hato Chami and Boca de Monte to make value-added products from their harvests and consequently increase their hous...
Read more