Media Release
FARMERS EAGER TO INCREASE FRUIT CULTIVATION
Welcome TOPCO’s Expansion
DIAMOND, EAST BANK DEMERARA, GUYANA, DECEMBER 27, 2019: Some 40 farmers who currently
supply fruit to Demerara Distillers Limited’s TOPCO juice operations are eager to increase theircultivation of required fruit to meet the company’s ability to in turn increase its supply of a range ofjuices for local consumption and for export. This is as TOPCO has embarked on a multi -billion dollar
expansion project which would initially require over two million pounds of fruit annually.
These farmers met on Friday with officials of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) and representatives of anumber of agencies including the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Agriculture Research andExtension Institute (NAREI), the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) and the Institute of Private
Enterprise Development (IPED) to discuss issues which would help ensure that they successfully expand
their cultivation. This included assistance with the provision of agriculture extension services which
would deal with cultivation best practices, soil testing, treatment of infestation and advice on measures
to reduce post -harvest losses.
The issue of pricing for their fruit was also raised and DDL’s chairman Komal Samaroo informed thefarmers that another price increase will be effective in February 2020, one year following the last priceincrease. Samaroo also advised the farmers that arrangements would be put in place to ensure they arepaid within three days of their supply of fruit. He said that payments would be made electronically tofarmers’ bank accounts.
“This is a serious partnership between TOPCO and you the farmers. Arrangements are for theguaranteed purchase of your fruit at a guaranteed price. So, when the market price goes down you will
still be receiving the price upon which we agreed. This is a contract between you and us. We need eachother and must address all the issues that will make this partnership mutually successful,” Samaroo told
the farmers at the meeting held at Diamond. Farmers from as far as the Pomeroon were among thoseparticipating in the meeting and tour of the expansion project.
The farmers also heard presentations by Ms. Rebecca Rampher-Adams, TOPCO Plant Manager,
Benjamin Frank of NAREI and Kaimlall Chattergoon of IPED and engaged in lively question and answer
sessions following each presentation.
Ms. Rampher-Adams in her presentation emphasized the critical importance of quality, pointing out thatthe fruit supplied must be ripe, must be free of any pests, worms and insects that could cause
contamination, must be free of dirt and animal dung and the crates, bags and containers used totransport the fruit must be clean. She also advised that a number of agencies will provide technicaladvice and assistance to help ensure these standards are met. The farmers identified the need forspecific assistance in dealing with the carambola fruit fly which according to some farmers the solution
implemented by NARI has not been effective.
In response to the farmers request Mr. Benjamin Frank of NARI indicated that the problem might bewith the application of the material provided to deal with the problem and it was agreed that this issue
will be immediately followed up to ensure a successful solution.
IPED’s Kaimlall Chattergoon outlined the services from which farmers could benefit which include thedevelopment of business plans, financial management and loans which are not subject to the credit
ratings of the farmers.
Friday’s meeting and tour of the expansion works followed one by representatives of a number ofrelated government agencies recently and a meeting last week with Finance Minister Winston Jordan
who was updated on the progress of the project which will include the production of pasteurized milk.
The new TOPCO plant is expected to be commissioned in July 2020.Contact:
Wesley Kirton
DDL Government Affairs Consultant
bwkirton@gmail.com