Raising Labeling and Packaging Standards in Guyana

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The areas of labeling and packaging continue to be a challenge to many agro-processor and  exporter clients of the Guyana Marketing Cooperation (GMC). With the recent development of an Agriculture Business Development Incubator at the Corporation, there was a dire need to have staff capacity developed in these areas. Therefore, Dr. Melvin Pascall, a Professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology at Ohio State University volunteered for two weeks under the Farmer-to-Farmer Program in October 2019.

Dr. Pascall, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago and has a Guyanese grandmother, in an interview with the local newspaper Stabroek news mentioned that his assignment in Guyana derived from a personal commitment which he had made to raising standards in the region; as attaining labeling and packaging standards will facilitate the access of the local agro-processing industry to international markets. During his assignment, he assisted over 162 people, including small-scale food processors and exporters located in various cities and towns around the country.  

Dr. Pascall also met with representatives of the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, the University of Guyana, and the Guyana School of Agriculture and conducted a session with local exporters interested in accessing the Canadian market. Outside of his various training and sensitization assignments he also held discussions with agro-processors, farmers, and officials of specialized local institutions on a range of issues.



Recommendations were made for GMC to select two or three small food processors who show willingness to scale-up their operations and who have the potential for it and arrange for another Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer to work with them to mechanize their operations. Also to arrange a meeting with academics and policymakers in the government to ask them to consider the impact of anticipated increases in revenue (from oil) and how it could be used to encourage industries such as papermaking and metal smelting amongst others. 

The Professor quoted that “One of the main functions of packaging is the protection of food, drugs and pharmaceutical products from biological, chemical and physical contamination. My 28 years of experience in food packaging will be an asset to this center. In addition to this, my research in food contact surface sanitation also adds to the assets of the center. This collaboration provides me with the opportunity to network with faculty members from other colleges and departments. It also allows my graduate students to gain experience in the use of equipment and analytical techniques that are not available in my home department”.  

Before his departure, Dr. Pascall visited Berbice, East Bank Demerara, along with several staff members from GMC and the Ministry of Agriculture to attend a tree-planting ceremony hosted by the President of Guyana, Brigadier David Granger, which is an annual event to encourage citizens of Guyana to grow food and promote sustainability. 


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