-Mustapha tells FAO, highlights country’s efforts to tackle food insecurity

IN making strides to reduce hunger, Guyana has fallen below the regional and global averages for undernourishment, with the country reporting a 2.5 per cent decrease.
The country’s Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, revealed this on Wednesday during his participation in a virtual high-level dialogue: State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI 2024) fascinated by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
“For Guyana, the fight against hunger is more than a policy goal—it is a moral imperative. We are here today to share our experiences, learn from each other, and renew our collective commitment to eradicate hunger and malnutrition, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal two.”

According to the SOFI 2024 report, undernourishment in Guyana has fallen below 2.5 per cent, a figure well below the regional average of 6.6 per cent and the global average of 9.1 per cent.
“This achievement has not been accidental, but the result of deliberate policy interventions aimed at enhancing food production and improving access to nutritious food,” Mustapha said.
The Agriculture Minister further pointed out that the country has made progress in addressing food insecurity according to statistics provided by the official, the prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity stands at 25.5 per cent lower than the regional average of 31.3 per cent.
Nonetheless, he observed that, while these figures are positive, the country remains at risk of insecurity.

“Our focus remains on ensuring that no one is left behind,” Mustapha said, pointing to the country’s strategic policies that emphasise the expansion of the productive sector and reduction of the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) massive food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.
“This bold plan is driven by the need to enhance domestic production and ensure regional food self-sufficiency. We are expanding agricultural production across several key sectors: crops, livestock, and fisheries/aquaculture.”
Mustapha further highlighted that, while the country is vulnerable to the effects of climate change, its key policy, the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, encompasses plans to build resilience.

“We are building robust drainage and irrigation systems, improving flood control infrastructure, and promoting the use of climate-smart technologies such as shade houses and hydroponics. Guyana has committed over 60 per cent of our agriculture budget to drainage and irrigation.”
Simultaneously, investments are being made to encourage more youth involvement, introduce new crops and promote public-private partnerships.

“We are driving innovation in agriculture, not just for Guyana, but for the broader Caribbean region…it is clear that regional collaboration is key to overcoming the challenges of hunger and malnutrition. Guyana is committed to sharing our experiences and learning from our neighbours. The issues we face—from climate change to economic volatility—have significant regional implications, and our solutions must be regional as well,” the Agriculture Minister said.