AGRICULTURE in Guyana has been, still is, and will continue for a very long time to come to be the backbone of our national economy, and this People’s Progressive Party led government, as well as all preceding ones, has long recognised this and therefore has been placing tremendous emphasis on the sector.
The very visionary leader and statesman Dr Cheddi Jagan during 1957-1964 as premier dramatically transformed the agriculture sector through sound agricultural policies and programmes. It was during this period too which saw Guyana become the breadbasket of the Caribbean, but sadly the removal of the PPP government in 1964 saw a gradual reversal of the advances in the agriculture sector to the point where Guyana became a “basket” case.
The Black Bush Polder agricultural scheme, which is among the largest in the Caribbean if not the largest, was one of the most incredible projects ever undertaken, as it saw a large, swamp infested with rattlesnakes being dramatically transformed into the largest and extremely productive communities in Guyana. Huge amounts of rice, cash crops and fish are produced in the community.
But it was not easy going to get the project started as our colonial masters sought to stifle any attempt to make us dependent on food imports and to become less dependent on them. Fortunately, a British engineer R.E Hutchinson, who eventually undertook the project saw eye to eye with Dr. Jagan resulting in the project becoming a resounding success.
Dr. Jagan also initiated the MMM/ADA and Tapacuma projects which massive drainage and irrigation works resulted in thousands of acres of agricultural lands being released to farmers.
The end result was that agriculture boomed in this country and between 1957-1964 rice production increased by 74% and milk and ground provisions and other crops were produced in such abundance that one party put in its 1964 election manifesto the slogan: “Free cassava and milk; not a soul shall go to bed hungry.” Of course, there was never any free milk and cassava, and instead that party became author of the destruction of the agriculture sector and disgraceful food shortages in Guyana, making us the laughing stock in the Caribbean
However, with the return of a PPP-led government in 1992 the restoration of agriculture to its rightful place began and 20 years after we can be proud that we are today a net exporter of food which is no mean achievement.
Under the current government, we saw massive investments into drainage and irrigation; farm to market roads; agricultural research; diversification; farmers’ education and training; granting of duty-free concessions for fuel and agricultural machinery and spares,etc. And this has paid handsome dividends and restored our agricultural pride and dignity.
Only recently a boat service to help farmers was launched by Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy on the island of Leguan. This is yet another fine example of government’s commitment to agricultural development and expansion, because we have hundreds of islands nearly all of which depend solely or heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods. Therefore river transport is critical to their survival and development.
Dr Ramsammy, alluding to the importance of agriculture, stressed  that agriculture is critical to the lives of everyone in Guyana. Minister Ramsammy said: “Agriculture is very significant in Leguan and all of the Essequibo islands, and more importantly, Guyana. You take agriculture from Guyana and we are nothing.”
He said all citizens should appreciate that the country’s success has been propelled by agriculture, and that agriculture is one of the main drivers behind Guyana moving from being a colonial country to becoming a middle-income country continuously striving to improve itself.
“Today, we are a middle-income country largely because of the success of agriculture,” he said.
He said all citizens should appreciate that the country’s success has been propelled by agriculture, and that agriculture is one of the main drivers behind Guyana moving from being a colonial country to becoming a middle-income country continuously striving to improve itself.