Indigenous villages urged to add value to forestry through charcoal, toothpick production

Indigenous villages—particularly those already involved in logging and forestry—are being urged to expand their economic activities by exploring value-added production such as furniture, charcoal, and even toothpicks.

This call was made by Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, during his address at the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference. He stressed that the real economic potential lies not in the export of raw materials, but in local manufacturing and processing.

Minister Bharrat bemoaned that for years, the country would export its raw materials, only to import products that could be manufactured locally.

“We export our raw gold and then buy back fancy jewellery, we export our bauxite ore and we buy back aluminum products, we export our agriculture products and we buy back processed products…we have to change that so that we can really and truly enjoy the benefits of our resources,” the minister expressed.

On a smaller scale, he highlighted how many hinterland communities export logs, only to later purchase school furniture made from similar materials.

As a solution, Minister Bharrat encouraged these villages to develop furniture manufacturing capabilities, pointing out that the government, through the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), will provide free training opportunities for interested residents.

He emphasised that shifting towards value-added industries would not only increase profits but also create much-needed jobs within these communities.

Another example, according to the minister, is toothpick production. He explained that “even toothpick we import in Guyana…imagine that, in a country that has the second highest forest coverage that is engaged in logging, boasts over 1000 different species of wood, yet we import these basic things.”

Opportunity also exists in the manufacturing of charcoal, he said, noting that a group along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway is already engaged in this production and is packaging their products to international standards for export.