GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has reiterated the government’s steadfast commitment to ensuring food security and promoting sustainable economic development, emphasizing the transformative progress made in Guyana’s agricultural sector.
During a recent engagement with residents and farmers of Cane Grove on the East Coast of Demerara, Minister Mustapha highlighted a series of initiatives that have strengthened Guyana’s position as a food-secure nation. He pointed out that Guyana is now recognized as the only country in the world capable of fully feeding its population without relying on food imports, a distinction attributed to the government’s unwavering dedication to agricultural development.
Minister Mustapha underscored that the government has prioritized agriculture in national budgets, with significant investments aimed at boosting crop production, livestock, aquaculture, and agro-processing. The 2025 budget, for example, allocates over $104 billion to the sector, supporting projects that enhance productivity, improve drainage and irrigation, and modernize farming techniques.
The Minister also noted that Guyana’s approach integrates food systems strategies into national policies, promoting sustainable development, nutrition, health, and climate resilience. The Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 is central to this vision, aligning food security with climate action and biodiversity preservation.
Empowering smallholder farmers remains a key priority, with the government providing financial support, low-interest loans, tax incentives, and duty waivers for agricultural inputs. These measures are designed to help farmers invest in modern technologies, increase yields, and build resilience against challenges such as climate change and rising food prices.
Minister Mustapha further emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships, working closely with the private sector to streamline supply chains and ensure efficient delivery of fresh, nutritious produce to consumers. These collaborations are crucial for stabilizing food prices and expanding market access for local agricultural products.
Guyana’s leadership in the regional “25 by 2025” initiative, which aims to reduce CARICOM’s food import bill by 25% by the end of this year, was also highlighted as a testament to the country’s commitment to food security and economic growth. Despite setbacks from natural disasters, the government remains optimistic about achieving these targets through continued diversification and innovation in the agricultural sector.
Minister Mustapha’s message was clear: the government’s focus on agriculture is not only about feeding the nation but also about driving sustainable economic development, improving livelihoods, and positioning Guyana as a model for food security in the region and beyond.
