-as country ramps up corn, soya bean production; over 10,000 acres now under cultivation – President Ali

BY the first quarter of 2025, Guyana is expected to cut its import expenditure on aquaculture feed by 50 per cent, as the country ramps up its local production of corn and soya bean to meet not only its local market demands, but also the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM).

This is according President Dr. Irfaan Ali who, during a recent press conference, told reporters that the increased production of the legumes will see the country improving its competitiveness while creating great opportunities.

“The corn and soya project is progressing well. From 125 acres in 2021, we now have over 10,000 acres under cultivation with a combination of corn and soya. By the end of 2025, we aim to have 25,000 acres cultivated twice annually,” the Head of State said.

This, he said will lead the country towards food security, thereby allowing the local manufacturing of livestock and aquaculture feed locally and reducing the cost significantly.

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.

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.

During a recent exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, revealed that there has been an increased interest in the cultivation of corn and soya bean, with several other partners coming on board.

“…so we have seen expansion, we are hoping to achieve approximately 12,000 acres of corn and soya in cultivation this year and hopefully we can [have] 25,000 next year and if we can, we will do that two times a year. Definitely, we will be self-sufficient also in our local demand, and if we can do it two times a year, we can be a net exporter to CARICOM countries,” Mustapha said.

“We have another company that have invested here, they will be cultivating this year a number of acres in corn and soya. We have in Region Nine another company [which] started to do corn and soya there,” he added.

According to Mustapha, the country’s aim is to produce 25,000 acres twice annually and this will save the country approximately $US 50 million.

“I think CARICOM, with Guyana’s input, is in line to reduce the food import bill by 25 per cent.”

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 soya bean were cultivated in 2023.

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.

Works had recently been completed on the Tacama access road, alongside the successful implementation of the drying and storage facilities.

According to Minister Mustapha, works on several other major infrastructure are soon to be started as the government looks to boost its production capacity.