Guyana Showcases Handcrafted Items and Agricultural Products at Agrofest to Impress Patrons

The Guyana contingent at Agrofest came with one mission — to impress the patrons with their handcrafted items.

From manufacturing to Amerindian-made items, there was lots to see and choose from at the Guyana booths.

There was leather crafted items, basketry, household items made from leaves and other natural materials, furniture made from wood, agro-processed products, jewellery, soaps and other beauty products, scented candles, fruits and vegetables beds and bed frames and more.

Senior director at the Guyana Investment Office John Edghill said the agricultural exhibit helped to show the region what Guyana has to offer as CARICOM governments work toward reducing the food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

“We have a 25 by 2025 initiative and I think this particular expo is important in being able to let other countries know that there are [a variety of] products that they can buy [from Guyana],” Edghill said, adding that a Guyaneese milk production company also had milk products on display.

“Dairy is one of the highest costing items on our food import bill so if we can start producing and manufacturing and selling our own milk, we immediately are able to reduce our food import bill.

“So this expo helps to bring to the fore what are the products that are available in the CARICOM region and helps us to be able to access them as well,” he said.

Sookdeo Sancharra of Amerindian Handicrafts said he has been participating in Agrofest for eight years and he loved the opportunity to highlight the talent of Native Guyaneese people.

He said Guyaneese Amerindians used grasses, vines and other natural resources to make household items such as mats, food trays and containers, baskets, hammocks, hats, vegetable stands and other items.

He added that the expo helped to keep the Ameriandians and other Caribbean people in touch with one another.

(SZB)