The fruits and vegetables value chain: a women’s world?
As guardians of much of Guyana´s food culture, women create livelihood opportunities and improve the food security and nutrition of their families and communities.
FAO in Guyana has been working with farmers to reduce post-harvest losses as well as to develop markets for traditional crops like cassava. ©Brent Stirton/Getty Images for FAO
Whether it is in Anna Regina, Georgetown or Corriverton, Guyana’s markets are traditionally dominated by female vendors. Be it fresh fruits and vegetables or agro-processed products, their stalls display abundance and variety. The vendors’ melodious chants soar above the usual market hustle and bustle: A “What are you getting today, love?” floats through the air at each turn.
Beyond the surface of this vibrant yet complex market and deeper into the country’s agri-food chain, women play many roles. According to a report by the Central Bank of Guyana, fruits and vegetables contributed USD 3.3 million in exports to the country’s economy from January to June in 2020. These numbers have women’s work behind them. Aside from growing many of these crops, women are also generally behind the processing of these foods, producing items such as pepper sauces, jams, jellies, seasonings and dried fruits, and retailing them for export.
As 2021 is the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, a year designated to raise awareness on the importance of these foods in nutrition, food security and health, it is an opportune time to zero-in on the contribution of women to the value chain behind fruits and vegetables.
Across many farming communities of Guyana, women are well-known for producing cash crops and growing vegetables like bora, pumpkin, pak choy, tomatoes and peppers, as well as fruits such as watermelons and passion fruit among others.