IN a recent address in Berbice, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, celebrated the agriculture sector’s remarkable 8.9 per cent growth in the first half of 2024, attributing the success to increased resilience, strategic investments, and a focus on sustainable development. The sector’s growth is transforming rural livelihoods and strengthening Guyana’s role in regional food security.

“The agriculture sector would have grown by almost 8.9% for the first half of 2024,” Minister Mustapha announced. “This is very important for us because we are helping ordinary people to supplement their income.”

Under Mustapha’s leadership, the government has prioritised modernising agricultural practices and expanding infrastructure. The minister detailed ongoing projects, such as the development of a $14 million food hub along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, alongside significant investments in drainage and irrigation to protect farmlands from flooding. “We are investing $6 billion in Hope-like canals in Region Six,” he shared, describing new dams and canals designed to divert water away from residential and cultivation areas, ensuring drainage around the clock and reducing flood risks during heavy rains.

In addition to flood prevention, the government is constructing pump stations across Corentyne to aid farmers. “We have built one at Adventure, and others are underway at Black Bush Polder, Letter Kenny, and Chesney,” Mustapha said. To further strengthen drainage, the government has rehabilitated sluices nationwide and is procuring 40–50 additional pumps. Plans to acquire dredges for regular clearing of silted outfalls are also underway, enhancing water flow and preventing backlogs.

The sector’s achievements include a historic milestone in rice production, which has surpassed 700,000 tonnes for the first time in the country’s history. “Since we started planting rice in Guyana, we have never produced over 700,000 tonnes. This year, we’ve exceeded 710,000 tonnes,” said Minister Mustapha, noting that another 15,000 acres remain to be harvested, which will further boost production totals.

As Guyana’s agriculture sector continues to flourish, Minister Mustapha emphasised that the nation’s vision for agriculture extends beyond domestic needs, positioning the country as a regional leader in food security. With support for sustainable farming and infrastructure improvements, the government is committed to enabling growth that benefits both local farmers and the wider Caribbean region.