AGRICULTURE Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, delivered a powerful address to commemorate World Food Day, emphasising the theme “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future.”
The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the FAO, hosted an agricultural exhibition and open day at the Bourda Cricket Ground in observance of World Food Day 2024.

This year’s observance serves as a reminder of the global commitment to ensuring access to nutritious food for all, particularly in light of ongoing challenges such as climate change and inequality.
Minister Mustapha, on Wednesday, highlighted the integral role that food security plays in development and human dignity. He stated, “Hunger is not merely a statistic; it is a personal tragedy that affects millions of people around the world,” stressing the need for nutritious food to enable individuals to thrive and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Despite progress in recent years, the Minister acknowledged the persistent issues of hunger and food insecurity. He cited the FAO’s State of Food Insecurity 2024 report, which indicates that undernourishment in Guyana has dropped below 2.5%, significantly lower than the regional average of 6.6%. Furthermore, the prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity stands at 25.5%, lower than the Caribbean average of 31.3%. These achievements, he noted, result from targeted policy interventions aimed at enhancing food production and improving access to nutritious food.
Guyana’s Vision 25 by 2025 initiative aims to reduce the CARICOM food import bill by 25%, positioning the nation as the “breadbasket” of the Caribbean. The Minister emphasised that achieving this goal requires overcoming barriers to intra-regional trade, ensuring the free flow of agricultural products, and reducing reliance on extra-regional imports.

Key to this strategy is the modernisation of agricultural production through innovation and technology. The Minister announced investments in hydroponics and shade house cultivation, which will enhance the production of high-value crops in controlled environments, thereby contributing to regional food security.
To bolster trade logistics, plans are underway to establish a regional ferry service connecting Guyana, Barbados, and Trinidad, facilitating the smooth movement of agricultural products. Additionally, new initiatives like the production of hatching eggs for poultry will secure the local poultry industry and provide consistent, high-quality poultry products.
Minister Mustapha also noted the launch of a new high-yielding rice variety, which aims to ensure strong production levels for domestic consumption and export. The aquaculture sector is also expanding, with increased production of brackish water shrimp and the introduction of Vannamei prawn production, catering to the rising global demand for seafood.
Moreover, efforts to improve Guyana’s agricultural landscape include enhanced research and development through the Centre of Excellence, the construction of state-of-the-art laboratories and processing facilities, and the introduction of parametric insurance products to provide quicker compensation for farmers following climate events.
In closing, Minister Mustapha called for a renewed commitment to the right to food, asserting that with the right investments and strategic partnerships, Guyana can build a future where no one goes hungry. “Together, we can create a foundation for sustainable development, ensuring a better life and a better future for all,” he concluded.