The government has invested $2 billion in agriculture development across Region Nine as efforts continue to transform hinterland communities and expand commercial farming opportunities.

Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha said last Thursday that the government is making major investments to ensure hinterland communities enjoy the same opportunities and facilities available on the coast.

“We have seen massive investment taking place in the hinterland community, and that is to ensure that we transform these communities and create mechanisms where residents can enjoy the same facilities that are available on the coast or in Georgetown,” the minister stated.

He noted that Region Nine is playing an increasingly important role in Guyana’s food security agenda, particularly as the government moves to position the country as a leading food producer in the Caribbean.

“Region Nine today is a very important region, not only for the residents here but for our country’s development. If Guyana has to be successful, then you in Region Nine have to be successful,” Minister Mustapha said.

The agriculture minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to move farmers away from subsistence farming towards large-scale commercial agriculture.

The modern shade houses that are being used in the agriculture sector

According to him, modernising agriculture is critical to attracting young people into the sector.

“Young people today do not want to farm the way our foreparents did. We have to modernise agriculture and make it more attractive to young people,” he said.

The government provides numerous initiatives, such as the Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme, hydroponics farming and shade house cultivation, as examples of how technology is transforming the sector.

He also underscored the importance of agro-processing facilities being established to reduce post-harvest losses and add value to local produce.