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GUYANA’s COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE

• A diversified Agricultural Environment
• Organic Crop Land
• Irrigation (Approximately 30% of Guyana’s cropland is irrigated)
• Agricultural Population (50% of Guyana’s population remains rural and closely linked to agriculture)
• Trainable Farmers
• Market Access
• Favorable Climatic Conditions
• Access to cheap labor

WHY INVEST?

• Guyana’s climate is very stable in that there are no threats of hurricane nor earthquakes.
• The low coastal plain which is flat, highly fertile and below sea level. The well – established drainage and irrigation system supports the cultivation of rice, sugar cane, fruits and vegetables, dairy and beef production.
• The Hilly Sand and Clay regions which includes the immediate savannahs of large areas of brown, well drained soils which is good for beef, milk, citrus, corn, cashew nuts, legumes, peanuts, soybeans, dairy products and orchard crops.
• Abundance of land with fresh water supply.
• Political will/ Friendly business environment from Government

OPPORTUNITIES

Traditional

• Rice

1. Rice Production
2. Down Streaming processing of rice into pasta, noodles, cereals, snack foods, etc.

• Sugar

Non-Traditional

• Soybean Value Chain
• Corn Value Chain- including ethanol production
• Cocoa Value
• Coconuts
• Honey Value Chain
• Coffee Value Chain
• Cocoa Value Chain
• Soybean value chain
• Spices Value Chain e.g. ginger, nutmeg, turmeric, black pepper, hot pepper.
• Roots and tubs value chain

Poultry

• Broiler Meat, Table Eggs, Black Giant, Layers, Others (Duck, geese, quail).
• Increase in demand (local market, tourism coupled with offshore oil sector).
• Maximize profitability through value added product development.
• Excess production can be exported to niche’ markets both regionally and internationally.
• Guyana is self-sufficient in fresh/frozen poultry meat products but imports in excess of US$ 3 Million worth in processed products annually.

Cattle and Livestock

• Production of Goat meat (Boer, Saanen, Anglo Nubian, Creole-Crosses)
• Halal Value for meat and milk, for both large and small ruminants
• Non-Halal dairy value chain
• Organic-range grown poultry for meat and eggs
• Grass fed beef, mutton and chevon
• Captive wildlife breeding e.g. iguana, alligator, deer, labba etc.
• Companion animal breeding and multiplication e.g. Cats, Dogs, Birds

Equipment

• Assemblage of Agriculture machinery and equipment
• GPS, robotics and precision agriculture systems.
• Fertilizer production/ assemblage

Broad Agricultural Projects

• Technological Solutions along with value chain
• Storage, Transportation and logistics
• Climate smart Agricultural solutions and tools
• Production Development (Seeds, organic pesticides etc, Packaging and labeling
• Technological Solutions along with value chain
• Online Agricultural Services-Distribution, Marketing and Administration
• Agricultural Finance- block chain and crowd funding
• Algae production for ethanol and animal feed production
• Beauty Products e.g. face, hair & skin creams, beauty masks, scrubs, oils
• Nutraceuticals
• Cut flowers
• Agroforestry- furniture wood e.g. mahagony, red cedar and tibisuri and nibbi
• Oil Palm – for food and bio dieseline
• Gastronomy-food and food export.

INCENTIVES:

Land available for Rice Production

• Region 2:
  • Aurora 2,024 Hectares and 5000 Acres.
  • Tapacuma- 405 Hectares and 1000 Acres.
• Region 5: Mahaica Mahaicony Abary 12,145 Hectares 30000 Acres.
• Region 6:
  • Canje basin 40,485 Hectares and 100,000 Acres.
  • Brothers to Mara 10,212 Hectares and 25,000 Acres.
  • Black Bush Polder to Manarabisi Pump 16,194 Hectares and 40,000 Acres.
  • Cookrite savannah 2,024 Hectares and 5,000 Acres.
• Region 9: Large Savannah Lands are available.

Other Incentives

• Reverse Drainage and Irrigation and Land Rent fees.
• Agricultural Machinery VAT-free.
• Fertilizers, Chemicals and other products used in the Industry are VAT-free.
• Quest to reduce cost of input and promoting climate smart agriculture- expending $15.8 million for the acquisition of shade house materials and sprinkle hoses and resell at cost value.
• Prominence towards the coconut industry by promoting expansion in acreages, inter-cropping, utilization of coconut by-products.
• Promote an agri -energy industry producing bio-ethanol through sugar cane, palm oil, cassava and corn.
• Crop Diversification and incentives for Corn and Soybeans.
• Promote value-added activities as well as the export of produce, to ensure our agriculture sector continues to expand and farmers are able realize higher incomes.

Poultry Incentives- Zero Rated Status

• VAT-free concessions on items imported for the development of the sector.
• Fresh water supply, available lands (Wales) accessible by network of roads and waterways.
• Concessions on developing lands -Intermediate Savannah.
• Technical/Extension support provided by GLDA.
• Food Safety Authority is being established.

Other Incentives

• VAT-free concessions.
• No VAT on building materials and packaging.
• Large track of land with good fresh water supply, accessible with roads and waterways.
• Concessions for developing lands.
• Technical/Extension support provided by GLDA.
• Incentives for key feed stock inputs (Corn and Soybeans).
• Food Safety Authority is being established.
• Concessions for large scale livestock farming.
• Appropriate breeding stock, training and facilities for cutting, packaging and storage of meat.
• Incentivize private investment in dairy plants, dairy processing facilities and the establishment of modern abattoir facilities in livestock producing regions.
• Minimize conflicts between livestock farmers and crop farmers through zoning.

Broad Incentives

• Exemption from duties and taxes from items covered under an Investment Agreement.
• Machinery, equipment, motor vehicles, tools, spares and supplies for agro processing, land preparation, cultivation and harvesting VAT-free.
• Exemption from Custom Duty on Fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, weedicide, herbicides, inoculants.
• Zero rate of Value-Added-Tax on fungicide, herbicide, pesticide, fertilizers.
• Reversed land lease fees, land taxes and drainage and irrigation fees to 2014 rates.
• Restore budgetary support for adequate provision and maintenance of drainage and irrigation systems, and farm-to-market roads.
• Increase productivity through research/ development into new strains and pest control by the GRDB.
• Explore a price stabilization/revolving fund facility for farmers.