Copyright guyanachronicle
INSTEAD of allowing his fruits to perish while refrigerated, Saul Kerry Dass came up with the idea of dehydrating them into premium powders—a process that birthed a small agro-processing business. Dass explained that he was accustomed to buying fruits only to see them wasted away in cold storage. “The idea started because of my lifestyle. I had everything on hand, but in this fast-paced environment, time waits for no one. I wasn’t able to utilise the fruits I bought, so they went to waste. I thought about what I could do to make them last longer, and the idea was conceptualised—to have them processed into a powdered product that can be used at any time without having to worry about it perishing,” he said. After much brainstorming, Dass decided that his best option was to dehydrate the fruit and process it into a fine powder. The 32-year-old explained that the process is tedious. After sourcing fruit from local farmers, he handles every step himself because his operation is still new. As he expands, he intends to hire two reliable staff members he can depend on. Dass told the Pepperpot Magazine that once the pineapples, beetroot, and bananas are washed, they are processed to remove all moisture while retaining nutrients—making them easy to use once ground into a fine powder. He added that the powder can be used as a drink by simply adding water or blended into smoothies, as it retains its full nutritional value. The product is packaged in food-grade pouches of 200 grams and retailed locally, especially at pharmacies and the Guyana Shop. Dass revealed that he will receive the “Made in Guyana” certification from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) for his product in early January or late December. He plans to have his powders in all supermarkets and shops so they are accessible to everyone. For now, they are also available at Go-Invest, and he looks forward to participating in the upcoming GuyExpo to network, market, and showcase his products. Dass pointed out that he became an agro-processor about six months ago and currently processes his fruits at the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) Hope Dehydrating Facility at Hope Estate, East Coast Demerara. He stated that much work goes into producing beetroot, banana, and pineapple powders, but he finds it fulfilling. “It promotes good health in a quick, easy way and is also nutritious for just about anyone,” he said. “Agro-processing is a lucrative small business once you know what you are doing and are committed to producing a high-quality product that can become a best-seller locally before seeking export opportunities. We can show that we can produce good quality products to high standards, and I am really pleased with the government’s support in adding value to the brand,” Dass added. He said the support from local agencies motivates him even more to increase production. Dass’s brand is K’s Our Flavour beetroot, pineapple, and banana powders. The product boosts health naturally—the beetroot powder helps lower blood pressure, boosts energy and brain function, and aids digestion. Beetroot is packed with benefits you cannot miss. It is a local product made at the GMC’s Hope Dehydrating Facility in Guyana. Government intervention through the Ministry of Agriculture actively promotes and supports agro-processors with policies and initiatives aimed at strengthening the agricultural value chain. Key elements of this support include financial incentives, infrastructure development, technical training, and facilitation of market access. Agro-processing and packaging facilities: Investments have been made to establish and operationalise new agro-processing and packaging facilities across different regions. In 2022, $96.5 million was designated for facilities in Sophia, Parika, and Mabaruma. Facility upgrades: In October 2025, Guyana and India announced a collaboration to modernise the Central Packaging Facility with a US$1 million investment. This project aims to boost processing efficiency and reduce post-harvest losses. Drying facilities: The government has also invested in dehydrating facilities and solar dryers to help extend the shelf life of perishable agricultural goods and reduce post-harvest losses.
