$4 B Infrastructure Advance at Viva La Force Housing Scheme

Infrastructure works are well underway at the 300+ acre Viva La Force Housing Scheme in Region 3, targeting 1,721 residential lots. As of mid‑June, Block A is 45 % complete with GYD $2.1 billion spent, while Block B is 50 % done with GYD $1.9 billion invested. Roadways, drainage, water networks and culverts are being installed, and allotment holders are getting virtual and on‑site previews of their plots. The government now launches infrastructure within a year of allocation—cutting delays from prior budget cycles—and by late 2025, Region 3 aims to synchronize land access with allocation cycles.

Nationwide Shade Houses to Boost School‐Based Entrepreneurship

Guyana’s Ministry of Education, in collaboration with Agriculture, has committed to installing shade houses in every secondary school to foster hands‑on agriculture and entrepreneurship. Already, schools like Bishop’s High are producing and branding value‑added items—including pepper sauces and jams—using their facilities. With 70 of 100 planned shade houses built in Region 6, the initiative equips schools to run small production lines, teaching students practical skills, marketing and self‑sustainability.

Business Opportunities Based On Today’s Developments

Small Enterprise Opportunities

1. School-Based Product Packaging & Retail Partnerships
With secondary schools producing pepper sauces, jams, and other value-added items under the Ministry of Education’s shade house program, there is a strong opportunity to:

• Partner with schools to brand, package, and sell their products in supermarkets or online.

• Offer micro-manufacturing or private-label bottling services on a revenue share basis.

2. Mobile Construction Trade Services (Welding, Masonry, Electrical)
The continued mismatch between job market demand and graduate expectations creates an opening for skilled tradespeople to:

• Launch mobile repair or project-based services, serving both residential and commercial clients in Region 3 and Berbice.

• Bundle services (e.g., welding + fabrication + generator installation) for contractors or government housing sites.

3. Livestock Feed & Supplement Micro-Distribution
With rising numbers of broiler chickens, sheep, and other livestock, there is demand for:

• Small-scale supply of formulated animal feed, vitamin supplements, and biosecurity products to new livestock farmers.

• Inventory could be housed in village-based depots or mobile kiosks targeting newly formed cooperatives.

Medium Enterprise Opportunities

1. Agro-Processing Facility for Hemp and Coconut Co-Products
With 2,000 acres allocated for hemp cultivation and coconut expansion in full swing, an ideal midsize venture would:

• Build a processing facility for hemp oil, coconut oil, or fiber-based products.

• Target export and high-value use cases (cosmetics, cigars, health food).

2. Real Estate or Construction SME for Region 3 Housing Expansion
The Viva La Force housing project has over 1,700 plots under development with $4B in spend, creating room for:

• A construction SME or prefab home builder targeting mid-income residents.

• Services in interior finishing, fencing, cabinetry, water tanks, or septic systems.

3. School Farm Supply & Maintenance Contracts
With 100+ shade houses under construction and more planned, offer:

• Contracted supply of starter seedlings, nutrients, tools, and maintenance services for school agri-programs.

• Add-on: workshops or youth incubator services tied to entrepreneurship education.

Large Enterprise Opportunities

1. Agro-Industrial Park & Export Cluster at Enmore or Foulis
Government is pushing diversification with GYD $6B+ in infrastructure. A large enterprise can:

• Develop a multi-tenant agro-industrial park or co-manufacturing space.

• Include processing for cassava, shrimp, hemp, and high-value tropical crops.

2. Vocational Training & Trade Certification Institute (Public-Private Model)
The growing gap between technical training and job readiness in trades creates an opportunity for:

• A PPP model trade school focused on construction, electrical, refrigeration, and welding.

• Services could include placement guarantees, on-the-job apprenticeships, and international certification pathways.

3. National Livestock Genetics & Hatchery Center
Given the expansion of genetic programs and poultry operations:

• A large-scale business could operate a centralized genetics and hatchery facility.

• Services: embryo transfer tech, vaccine R&D, export of high-quality chicks or Black Belly sheep to CARICOM.

Side Hustle Ideas Based On Today’s Developments

1. Contract Shade House Builder for Schools & Homes

With the Ministry of Education installing shade houses in every secondary school—and the government encouraging home-based agriculture—there’s a clear opportunity for individuals to:

• Offer low-cost shade house setup services (using PVC, mesh, drip irrigation).

• Charge GYD $100,000–$200,000 per installation depending on size and features.

Why it works:
Minimal tools required, scalable by word of mouth, and schools or households are increasingly interested in producing food or starting agri businesses.

2. Evening/Weekend Livestock Brokerage & Feed Reseller

With 28,000 new acres of pasture, a poultry boom, and farmers accessing government breeding stock, small farmers need:

• Local middlemen to supply feed, vitamins, and buy/sell chicks, sheep, or eggs.

• You can partner with regional feed suppliers, mark up 10–15%, and run it from home or WhatsApp.

Why it works:
Farmers in rural areas often lack access to regular transport or info. You become the middleman with convenience and trust.

3. Plot Matching & Land Prep Agent for New Housing Schemes

With 1,700+ lots at Viva La Force and dozens of other schemes underway, many allottees don’t live nearby or have time to prepare their lots. Offer:

• A side service to locate, mark, clear, and prepare housing lots for GYD $30,000–$60,000 per job.

• Add-ons: Google Pin drop, photo updates, and liaison with contractors.

Why it works:
Thousands of allottees need help but don’t know where to start. You fill the gap with boots-on-ground service and basic phone updates.