In Guyana, the Partners Farmer to Farmer program is targeting non-traditional and specialty crops, particularly specific commodities with growth potential for local, regional and export markets and crops for which Guyana has a competitive advantage in the region. Shaun Francis, Farmer to Farmer Field Officer in Guyana, along with Kelvin Craig, Country Coordinator, lead the following projects:

Horticulture
Project Purpose: In the Horticulture Project, Partners’ volunteers provide technical assistance to farmers, farming organizations, and other institutions and associations in order to increase the production and quality of high-value, non-traditional crops. The Project aims to increase income for small and medium producers and businesses as well as improve the organizational and management capacity of local groups.

Project Activities: Volunteers provide assistance in areas such as plant health, chemical safety training, drip irrigation and hydrological engineering, post-harvest handling, organic production and marketing, farm budgeting, agro-tourism, and labeling and packaging. Focus crops include pineapple, root crops, cherry tomato, sweet/hot pepper, butternut squash, papaya, and specialty melons.

Aquaculture
Project Purpose: In the Aquaculture Project, Partners’ volunteers provide technical assistance to farmers, farming organizations, and other institutions and associations in order to increase the production and quality of tilapia. The Project aims to increase income for small and medium producers and businesses as well as improve the organizational and management capacity of local groups.

Project Activities: Volunteers provide assistance in areas such as hydrological planning and engineering, farm management and budgeting, hatchery management, and feed production. Assistance focuses primarily although not exclusively on tilapia.

 * This webpage is made possible in part by the generous support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of Partners and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.”