PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has revealed that approximately 3000 acres of land are currently being prepared for corn and soya cultivation in Guyana’s Savannahs.
The disclosure was made by the Head of State on Wednesday through his official Facebook page, where he also shared images of the ongoing land development for the significant food production project.

In this year’s fiscal package, the government has set aside the sum of $967.8 million to further boost the capacity of the Tacama Savannah corn and soya bean facility.

Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, made the announcement during his Budget 2024 presentation at the National Assembly last Monday.

“Government’s collaboration with the private sector to roll out a development programme for corn and soya bean in the intermediate savannahs has been very successful,” the senior finance minister highlighted.

Over the last three years, the government has spent more than $1.4 billion to develop the infrastructure within the Tacama area to meet the region’s production and cultivation goals.
By 2025, Guyana is expected to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of all livestock feed, resulting in a decreased reliance on imports. This progress is evident as 10,000 acres of corn and soybean were cultivated in 2023.

Additionally, there will be a significant decrease in the cost of meat, particularly poultry and other varieties.
The production target for corn and soya bean production is of utmost importance, with a goal of reaching 26,000 acres by the end of 2024 and 30,000 acres by the end of 2025.
Completion of the Tacama access road has been achieved, alongside the successful implementation of the drying and storage facilities.

An access wharf is currently under construction at Tacama, with completion anticipated in 2024.
In 2023, four major private producers cultivated approximately 10,000 acres of corn and soya bean.

“I am happy to report that, in 2024, three additional major investors will enter the market, and together expand cultivation to 26,000 acres,” Minister Singh further announced.
In the year 2021, a collaboration was formed between six local companies and a regional firm to embark on a significant project aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in corn and soya bean production in Guyana in the coming years.

The owners of Guyana Stock Feed Ltd., Royal Chicken, Edun Farms, SBM Wood, Dubulay Ranch, and Bounty Farm Ltd., along with the Brazilian-owned N F Agriculture, have partnered to produce soya bean and corn for both the local and regional markets.