BY the first quarter of 2025, Guyana will be on track to slash its import expenditure on aquaculture feed by 50 percent.
This ambitious goal is rooted in the country’s robust efforts to boost local production of corn and soybeans, aiming not only to meet its own market demands but also to cater to the wider Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
President Dr. Irfaan Ali, in a recent press conference, articulated the profound impact of this agricultural push. “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,” he stated. This expansion is pivotal, as it not only edges the country toward food security but also significantly lowers the cost of locally manufactured livestock and aquaculture feed.
The journey towards this milestone began in 2021 when six local companies teamed up with a regional firm to initiate a substantial project aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in corn and soybean production. The collaboration includes notable entities such as Guyana Stock Feed Ltd., Royal Chicken, Edun Farms, SBM Wood, Dubulay Ranch, Bounty Farm Ltd., and the Brazilian-owned N F Agriculture.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha recently highlighted the growing interest and investment in this sector. With 10,000 acres already under cultivation and plans to expand to 25,000 acres by next year, the country is on a path to not only meet local demands but to become a net exporter to CARICOM countries. This expansion is expected to save Guyana approximately $50 million USD and contribute to reducing CARICOM’s food import bill by 25 percent.
Over the past three years, the government has invested over $1.4 billion to develop the infrastructure necessary for this agricultural revolution, particularly in the Tacama area. This year’s fiscal package allocates an additional $967.8 million to enhance the Tacama Savannah corn and soybean facility further.

These efforts are not limited to crop cultivation. The government has earmarked $1.2 billion for the fisheries and aquaculture sector in 2024, recognising its significant role in the nation’s food security and economic growth. The sector, which includes aquaculture, contributes $11.9 billion to Guyana’s annual exports, making up around six percent of the country’s overall export earnings.
Looking beyond the immediate benefits, President Ali envisions Guyana as the region’s main food hub, linking it to northern Brazil. The ongoing development of a regional food hub, slated to continue in 2024, is a testament to this vision. This hub, at a cost of $14 million USD, will bolster the food-supply chain and production operations, enhancing cold storage and manufacturing processing capabilities.

Furthermore, Guyana is poised to not only become the foremost exporter of agricultural goods but also serve as CARICOM’s food basin. This aligns with the nation’s strategic goal of reducing CARICOM’s food import costs by 25 percent by 2025.
In parallel, there are promising developments in the sugar industry. The government is considering a proposal to transform the defunct Enmore Sugar Estate into a refinery. This move would allow the conversion of brown sugar to white sugar and other processed varieties for export, revitalising an industry that suffered closures under the previous administration.
Guyana’s aggressive push towards agricultural self-sufficiency and regional economic leadership is underpinned by strategic investments, innovative collaborations, and a clear vision for the future. As the country continues to leverage these opportunities, it sets a robust framework for sustainable growth and prosperity, reaffirming its role as a pivotal player in the regional and global agricultural landscape.