Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha is urging local farmers to leverage the numerous opportunities being created by the Government for agricultural development. During a recent outreach event in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), he emphasized the modernization of the agriculture sector and shared insights from a meeting with the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) about advancements in the industry.
“We discussed the introduction of new technologies, such as embryo transplant, which has already resulted in over fifty new calves bred through this method,” the minister highlighted. He also mentioned that there are now more than 70 new breeds of cattle available to local farmers, aimed at enhancing livestock quality.
The minister recalled the launch of the black belly sheep program by the President, noting, “We received a thousand black belly sheep from Barbados, and we have since doubled that number.”
In terms of crop production, Minister Mustapha proudly reported the cultivation of new crops alongside traditional ones. “Last year, we planted 12,000 acres of corn and soya, an increase from three thousand acres the previous year. This year, we aim to expand that to 25,000 acres, which could save us approximately US$40 million in imports,” he stated.
The Agriculture Ministry is also advancing hydroponics across the country. “At Fort Wellington in Region Five, we have completed the structure for a hydroponic farm and are now installing trays for one hundred thousand plantlets, engaging local youth in the process,” he added.
The minister also announced the large-scale production of black eye and red beans, particularly in Kimbia, where infrastructure, including a 12,000-ton silo, is being established. “By mid-year, we expect Guyana not only to be self-sufficient in black eye peas but also to become an exporter to Caricom,” he declared.
He emphasized the construction of over six hundred shade houses this year, with plans for an additional two hundred, aimed at cultivating high-value crops for the hospitality and oil and gas sectors.
Minister Mustapha is also focused on engaging young people in agriculture. “We are changing the perception that agriculture is only for older individuals or those without formal education. Today, there are hundreds of young people involved in agriculture, many of whom have degrees in agronomy or diplomas from the Guyana School of Agriculture,” he explained.
Last year, Guyana achieved a record rice production of 725,000 tons, with an ambitious target of 804,000 tons set for this year. The minister is optimistic about surpassing this goal. “These are the new initiatives we are implementing,” he concluded, also encouraging women and single parents to participate in the agricultural sector.
