GUYANA is on an ambitious journey to strengthen its agricultural sector, reduce its high food-import bill, and ensure all Guyanese have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.

The government’s commitment to promoting the cultivation of high-valued and traditional crops, in addition to the establishment of model hydroponics farms and shade houses, marks a pivotal step towards enhancing food security, not only for Guyana, but for the entire Region.

For decades, Guyana has faced the challenge of a significant food-import bill. The country has relied heavily on the importation of food items to meet the dietary needs of its population.

This over-reliance on foreign markets not only threatened the country’s food security, but also drained valuable foreign-exchange reserves.

In a move to address this issue, the current PPP/C government has prioritised the cultivation of high-value and traditional crops as a means of increasing domestic food production.

Crops such as exotic fruits, spices, and specialty vegetables have the potential to generate substantial revenues in both domestic and international markets.

This approach not only helps to reduce the food-import bill, but also boosts the incomes of local farmers, and contributes to the diversification of the agricultural sector.

One of the key initiatives in this endeavour is the establishment of the model hydroponics farm at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI).

Hydroponics, a soil-less farming technique, offers a sustainable and efficient way of growing crops in controlled environments.

By adopting hydroponics on a larger scale, Guyana can secure a consistent supply of high-value crops, regardless of external factors. Moreover, hydroponics allows for year-round cultivation, thereby reducing the nation’s vulnerability to seasonal fluctuations in food production.

Like hydroponics, shade houses are part of an innovative approach that marks a substantial shift towards modernising agriculture. This alternative farming method ensures food security, and promotes sustainable farming practices.

By creating controlled growing environments, and protecting crops from harsh weather conditions and pests, shade houses help to boost productivity and crop quality.

This initiative, which is being pushed by the Ministry of Agriculture and its subject minister, has yielded positive results, and has attracted growing interest.

Recently, in Region Six, farmers proudly showed off their produce, noting how much this farming technique has changed their lives.

Aside from improving their livelihood, the farmers are now empowered to further pursue their agricultural dreams, and improve their livelihoods.

The advantages of using these sustainable, environmentally-friendly farming methods are numerous, especially in a country such as Guyana, where access to arable land is limited, and traditional farming methods are subject to unpredictable weather patterns and climate change.

The strides being made in promoting hydroponics and shade houses exemplify the government’s commitment to transforming Guyana’s agricultural landscape.

Such farming methods not only enhance food security and economic resilience, but also position Guyana as a leader in innovative and sustainable agricultural practices in the region.