HEAD of the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Jhaman Kundun, and Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, have discussed plans to advance the agriculture sector, during a brief meeting on Monday.

Noting CARDI’s continued support for agricultural development in Guyana, Minister Mustapha said he looks forward to future collaboration between the ministry and CARDI to further develop the sector.

The CARDI head said the institute plans to continue to offer technical support to the relevant authorities within the agriculture sector, especially with dealing with COVID-19.
Minister Mustapha welcomed all areas for collaboration, noting the negative impact the current global pandemic can have on Guyana’s agriculture sector.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the agriculture value chains across the Caribbean, threatening food security and upending livelihoods of millions of people around the globe. We plan to continue working with CARDI and all our International partners to ensure Guyana remains food secure and our citizens have continued access to healthy fruits and vegetables,” Minister Mustapha said.

While food supplies in Guyana are presently stable, an extended period of this crisis, coupled with climate change, can put Guyana’s food supply chains on a precarious footing.
With this in mind, the minister noted that the Agriculture Ministry, in exercising its mandate, will continue to promote healthy food consumption, more responsible agricultural systems and improved capacity building among farmers.

Guyana’s agriculture base, which is located on the coast, is constantly under threat, given the fact that it is below sea level.
Minister Mustapha said he intends to work towards strengthening the sector, while collaborating with other government ministries and agencies to improve agricultural systems across the country.

Also present at the meeting were Minister Mustapha’s ministerial advisors, Lionel Wordsworth and Madanlall Ramraj.