Professor Dr Shamir Ally has proposed a US$2.2 million programme to establish 100 solar-powered cold-storage hubs across Guyana, linking renewable energy and agricultural development with the Caribbean’s drive to reduce food imports and strengthen regional food security.
The proposal, outlined in his October 2, 2026 opinion piece, “Guyana SunFresh: US$25K Solar Cold Hubs, Solar Tiles and Trees for Rural Farmers,” in Village Voice News, comes as Guyana pursues its commitments under the Paris Agreement and its Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 (LCDS 2030), while seeking to expand its contribution to the region’s food supply.
The initiative also speaks to Guyana’s longstanding ambition to serve as the Caribbean’s breadbasket. Although the country has substantial agricultural potential, achieving that role requires more than increasing production. Farmers must also be able to preserve their harvests, transport produce efficiently and supply domestic and regional markets consistently.
Ally argues that inadequate storage and unreliable electricity contribute to significant post-harvest losses. His proposed Guyana SunFresh programme would establish 100 off-grid, solar-powered cold-storage hubs to preserve vegetables, fruits, fish and cassava before they reach consumers.
The concept links climate action with practical development needs, including reducing food waste, improving farmers’ incomes, creating green jobs and helping rural communities adapt to climate-related challenges.
CARICOM’s food security target
The proposal aligns with CARICOM’s Vision 25 by 2025+5, which extended the regional initiative to 2030 after the original target of reducing the Community’s food import bill by 25 per cent by the end of 2025 was not completed within the initial timeframe. The expanded initiative places greater emphasis on production, regional trade, investment, technology and resilience.
Guyana has a central role in that effort, with President Irfaan Ali serving as CARICOM’s Lead Head of Government with responsibility for agriculture and food security. The country’s ambition to become the region’s breadbasket depends not only on increasing agricultural output but also on reducing waste and improving storage, processing and transportation.
Ally estimates that 30 to 45 per cent of some perishable commodities, including tomatoes, leafy vegetables and mangoes, can spoil before reaching markets. His proposed hubs would help farmers preserve produce for longer periods and potentially supply buyers in Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Barbados and other Caribbean markets.
The concept identifies Mabaruma, Bartica, Lethem, Mahdia, Parika and Linden as locations for a 10-unit pilot, costing approximately US$250,000. A full 100-unit programme is estimated at US$2.2 million.
Each facility would use an insulated container, solar array, battery bank and refrigeration system. Ally proposes that the Guyana Marketing Corporation, Regional Democratic Councils and farmers’ cooperatives manage the facilities, with a fee of G$500 per crate per day to support operations and maintenance.
University of Guyana and Guyana Technical Institute students would participate in construction, training and maintenance, creating opportunities for young people to develop skills in solar energy, refrigeration and cold-chain management.
Climate resilience and sustainable development
Guyana ratified the Paris Agreement in 2016 and has pursued a low-carbon development agenda through LCDS 2030.
Ally’s proposal seeks to connect those commitments to practical investments that could reduce food waste, limit reliance on diesel-powered refrigeration in off-grid communities and strengthen farmers’ resilience to climate-related disruptions.
He also proposes expanding tree planting and agroforestry, alongside a potential climate-resilience corridor linking agricultural communities from the Corentyne to the Rupununi.
However, the proposal acknowledges challenges, including upfront costs, maintenance in remote areas, transportation constraints, theft and vandalism. The projected 18-to-24-month payback period and the target of reducing post-harvest losses to below five per cent would require validation through a detailed feasibility study.
Ally is calling on the Ministry of Agriculture, the Guyana Marketing Corporation and farmers’ organisations to support pilot locations and financing arrangements, including duty concessions for eligible solar and cold-chain equipment.
The proposal remains a concept for government consideration. Its implementation would depend on financing, technical capacity, reliable transportation and evidence that the facilities can operate sustainably and deliver measurable benefits.
Ultimately, the initiative links Guyana’s climate commitments with CARICOM’s drive to reduce food-import dependence and revive the country’s potential as a regional agricultural supplier.
Ally concludes: “With conscience comes a peaceful world—and food security.”
