More land, storage, drying facilities, and support for Region Two farmers

President Irfaan Ali has announced a comprehensive plan to expand and strengthen the agriculture sector in Region Two, including the opening of 20,000 acres of land, new storage and drying facilities, and a co-investment strategy to support farmers.

The President made the announcement during a meeting with rice farmers, cash crop producers, and fisherfolk at the Anna Regina Secondary School auditorium on Saturday.

“We are opening 20,000 acres of land in three agricultural clusters in this region. These lands will be developed by the government, with capital investments and seed paddy provided to help eliminate the need for rented lands,” President Ali stated.

He noted that over 1,000 farmers in Region Two currently rent land, which limits their long-term growth. To address this, the new agricultural clusters will also be equipped with shared machinery such as tractors and combine harvesters. These will be managed by the farmers themselves, with responsibilities shared among them to reduce costs and improve productivity.

“Farmers with 30 acres or less will have the option to choose either a cash grant or fertiliser support,” the President added. “We are a government you can trust—through good times and bad.”

In response to farmers’ concerns about post-harvest challenges, President Ali announced that two modern drying and storage facilities will be constructed in Region Two. The tenders for these facilities will be issued within two weeks.

The President also unveiled plans to enhance agricultural extension services, including the establishment of a control centre to provide farmers with 24/7 access to guidance and information. In addition, mobile container offices will be set up across the region to offer in-person support.

“To promote sustainable agriculture, we are encouraging medium-scale farmers to dedicate one acre out of every ten to a specific high-value crop. The government will assist in making these ventures successful,” he said.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who accompanied the President, highlighted recent improvements in the rice and cash crop sectors under the current administration.

He recalled that two years ago, paddy prices were at a historic low. The government negotiated with millers and today they pay $4,000 per bag of paddy. This crop, 70,000 bags have been purchased by the Guyana Rice Development Board.