IN an effort to support farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture is advancing plans to assist with the expansion of cultivation and markets for various produce.
The New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC) is actively looking for markets for farmers’ produce, to ensure that they are able to sell their produce at competitive prices.

The Agriculture Ministry has assured farmers that they will be provided with planting materials and other key items to help them expand their cultivations.
During a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha said the mechanism will benefit farmers and the country at large, as it will help to increase food production and improve food security.

“The PPP/C government is expected to make significant investments in the food sector this year in order to ensure its growth and success,” the minister underscored.
He encouraged farmers to take advantage of the opportunities offered through the New GMC and cultivate more in order to benefit from the prospective markets.

Minister Mustapha said the marketing agency is also charged to expand its reach to areas where persons are now exploring the option of farming, to lend fundamental support.
“This is a positive development for the agriculture sector and is expected to have a positive impact on the livelihoods of farmers and the economy as a whole,” Minister Mustapha said.
The government’s investment in the agri-food system is expected to help the sector flourish, create jobs and increase food production.

The ministry’s efforts is a welcome move that is expected to benefit thousands.
President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has, on many occasions, emphasised that his government’s interest in expanding the agricultural sector is rooted in the understanding that a strong food industry is essential for a country’s economic growth and food security.

Providing context, agriculture is a vital sector for many developing countries, as it is a major source of income for smallholder farmers, who make up a significant proportion of the population.
With an aggressive push for increased local food production, the PPP/C government understands that expansion of the sector can also lead to greater employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas, which can help to reduce poverty and improve the standard of living for many persons.

The government’s investment in the agricultural sector has taken many forms such as providing farmers with access to credit, technical assistance, and training, as well as investing in infrastructure, such as irrigation systems and rural roads.

Commended by thousands already, the ongoing undertaking will help to make farming more efficient, productive and profitable for farmers.
The Dr Ali-led administration has also invested in research and development to improve crop yields and develop new crops, which are already making farming more sustainable and resilient to climate change.

(DPI)