Guyana inspiring region to focus on food security

Guyana continues to perform exceptionally well in the agricultural sector, inspiring several Caribbean partners to place greater emphasis on food security.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) remains steadfast in its bid to reduce its multi-billion-dollar food import bill by 25 per cent.
Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, in an interview with Ignite News, said that Guyana has played an instrumental role in rekindling and sparking new agricultural interest within the region.
“What we have done is move Guyana from a country that had lost its place in CARICOM to one that is now leading the region in terms of agriculture and food security. We have seen a renewed interest, not only in Guyana but across the Caribbean, and we have witnessed growth across the productive sectors, including traditional areas, with increased production.”
The minister noted that Guyana surpassed the 700,000-tonne mark for rice production for the first time in its history, reaching 725,000 tonnes last year. The target for 2025 is now set at 804,000 tonnes.
Apart from the sugar industry, he explained that all other areas of production, including fruits, vegetables, and livestock, have experienced extensive growth and expansion.
Additionally, Guyana has begun the commercial cultivation of new crops, including corn, soya, and other high-value produce. Increased production of prawns, embryo transplanting, and the introduction of innovative production mechanisms are all part of the government’s strategy to ensure national food security.
“What we have been doing in Guyana has captured the imagination of people in the Caribbean. Places such as Barbados, where the economy was built on tourism, and the Eastern Caribbean, are now embracing agriculture,” the minister noted.
He added that Guyana is assisting these nations in developing their agricultural sectors. For instance, a technical team is currently supporting St Lucia in establishing its shade house programme, while Trinidad and Tobago has received assistance in reviving its rice industry.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha