By Bebi Shafeah Oosman

AS the harvesting season comes to a close, the rice industry in Guyana is set to achieve a remarkable milestone, with production of rice expected to exceed the 700,000-tonne mark for the first time in the country’s history.
The government has invested significantly in the rice industry, providing farmers with essential resources, training, and access to modern technology. These initiatives have empowered local producers, enabling them to maximise their yields and improve the overall quality of their crops.
This historic production level not only underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening the agriculture sector, but also highlights the resilience and hard work of Guyanese farmers.
By fostering a collaborative environment between the government and the farming community, the country is witnessing unprecedented growth in rice production.

During a recent outreach at Tarlogie, Corentyne, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha announced that this year, for the first time in Guyana’s history, the rice sector is poised to surpass the 700,000-tonne mark.
He said: “This year, for the first time since we start growing rice in Guyana, we will surpass the 700,000-tonne mark, and that will be an achievement for us.”
Minister Mustapha emphasised that the impressive yield this year is averaging about 6.7 tonnes per hectare. He highlighted Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) as a key contributor to this success, showcasing the region’s vital role in reaching this historic target.
As the nation celebrates this milestone, the government remains committed to maintaining this momentum.

Continued investments and innovative support programmes will focus on sustainability and advancement, ensuring that the rice sector remains a cornerstone of Guyana’s economy.
Addressing earlier challenges, Mustapha acknowledged the “serious threat” posed by paddy bugs earlier in the year.

However, thanks to proactive measures and solutions developed in collaboration with stakeholders following a series of meetings at Albion, Corentyne, the impact on this season’s crop has been minimal.
“I think we were able to manage it to a certain level, the paddy bug, and we haven’t had much damages this crop from the paddy bug”, he reported.

Mustapha also outlined exciting developments in the poultry sector, emphasising the government’s commitment to modernising and enhancing production capabilities. The introduction of modern tunnel houses is a key strategy aimed at significantly increasing poultry output, he said.
To facilitate this initiative, the government is collaborating with financial institutions to provide funding, making it accessible for those interested in expanding their poultry operations.
With each modern tunnel house expected to cost around $40 million, Mustapha said: “We are working with the bank, so you only have to come up with a small amount of cash if you want to do it individually.”

The government is also prioritising youth involvement in the project, with its having already been launched in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and Five (Mahaica-Berbice), and soon expanding into Region Six.
In addition to poultry advancements, Mustapha pointed to the establishment of the hydroponic facilities, with the largest currently in Enmore and housing 100,000 plantlets.

Three additional facilities are set to be built in Essequibo, Region Five, and Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice), with the aim of further engaging young people in innovative farming techniques.
Minister Mustapha also drew attention to the implementation of the prawns programme in Onverwagt, Region Five, which showcases the government’s commitment to diversifying agricultural production, and shows that the ministry is eager to collaborate with farmers to explore the cultivation of other crops