Dear Editor,
NO one can doubt there is an agriculture renaissance in Guyana, which is marked by the renewed understanding and recommitment to the fundamental role of agriculture in the nation’s development.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government and the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, must be applauded for this. There are several different approaches underway which guarantees the agriculture sector’s growth.
This is so despite the many challenges faced by the sector including damaging floods experienced since last year.
In retrospect, during the coalition (APNU/AFC) government’s tenure in office, agriculture suffered immensely as the coalition embarked on several preposterous and vindictive acts such as cutting crucial funding, placing fortune seekers in top positions, and positioning the worst and most visionless agriculture minister ever to ensure that the downward decline was rapid and devastating.
This has been dealt with by many intellectuals. This period of APNU+AFC leadership was a replication of what the sector faced under the People’s National Congress (PNC) during its 28 years of dictatorial rule. Fortunately, it came to a screeching halt in 2020.
This Dr Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C government is investing heavily in all areas of the agriculture sector, and is looking to grow the sector more, beyond rice and sugar. A sum of $28.7 billion was budgeted this year to further thrust development in the agriculture sector.
Some of these new projects pursued by the Ministry of Agriculture are outlined below. These will see major increases to output, and the opening up of new markets, not only locally, but regionally and internationally.
The President has recognized the importance of brackish-water shrimp production which has ‘a very huge potential in the diaspora’. This project is intended to move production by 300 per cent from 450,000 kilogrammes annually. This project is already underway and will be an outstanding foreign exchange contributor.
Added to this, the fish cage project has already started at Mainstay/Whyaka in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). It is estimated that this has the potential to produce 11 metric tonnes of fish every nine months. We are a pioneer in this regard in the Caribbean.
Another lucrative project is the corn and soya bean production at Ebini along the Berbice River. This has all the signs of success. Minister Mustapha stated that, ‘the trial was very successful’ and there are plans to increase production from 125 acres to 3,000 acres by this year, and further increase to 25,000 acres in the next three years. Guyana will not only be self-sufficient but will be a major exporter. This will be another foreign exchange earner.
This government is also cognisant of the importance of non-traditional crops such as carrots, broccoli and cauliflower. These are imported into Guyana and command high prices in the market [and has] huge demand in Guyana and the Caribbean.
In this venture, President, Dr Irfaan Ali is targeting youths. Works have already commenced to construct 25 shade houses for the cultivation of the three crops. This is rolled out under the Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme (AIEP). The long-term plan is to produce 7,000 tonnes of the crops.
This is a direction which will not only benefit farmers but consumers as well. Already, there are some small farmers producing broccoli and cauliflower which [were] showcased at farmers’ markets held across the country. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture is supporting small farmers who are cultivating strawberries and grapes.
This project has now grown to more than 54 shade houses, and is expected to increase to 300 because of its success, according to Minister Mustapha. Already these produce are sold to leading hotels.
Moreover, shade houses are now introduced in schools across the country ensuring that the knowledge of this new project becomes embedded in our young people early in life and that a career in agriculture is just as rewarding as any other.
Moreover, the Ministry of Agriculture is providing the necessary marketing support to enhance the value-chain. Minister Mustapha, earlier this year, explained this: We have been meeting with various stakeholders, farmers, middlemen, agro-processors, sellers and exporters to discuss the issues facing their particular value chain and how to support the improvement of the chain with support from the agriculture agencies’.
The government will also invest heavily in agro-processing which will ensure that produce do not perish but increase in value. We have seen demand and supply wreaking havoc to farmers.
Poultry farmers and prospective ones, on the other hand, are given black giant birds, each of which can produce approximately 200 eggs per annum and 4.5 kg of meat. These birds will greatly increase the supply of both eggs and meat to meet the local demands.
We have also seen the introduction of Black Belly Sheep in Regions 5 (Mahaica-Berbice) and 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne) which will boost the production of mutton locally and for the international market, especially the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
At the launching of this project in Region 5, the President emphasized the lucrativeness of this market.
The list of new and pioneering projects in agriculture will continue to grow and expand. There is a renaissance in agriculture in Guyana as the country is positioned to champion food security in the Caribbean and the rest of the world, as envisioned by the PPP/C government.

Yours sincerely,
Haseef Yusuf