–Minister Mustapha

THE Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, has shared an optimistic view on the performance of the agriculture sector, emphasising its exceptional growth and resilience. He pointed out the significant progress made in recent years, attributing much of the sector’s success to strategic government initiatives and investments that have bolstered productivity and ensured long-term sustainability.

Mustapha stressed that the agriculture sector’s ongoing success is crucial to the country’s economic stability and future growth, as it remains a key source of employment and revenue generation. In a notable achievement, Guyana’s rice industry reached a historic milestone in October, with production surpassing 700,000 tonnes for the first time ever as the harvesting season concluded.

Mustapha this week said, “Well generally I think we are doing very well, as a matter of fact I have been making this point all over the country for the first time in the history of our country since the introduction of rice production, this year we have surpassed the 700,000 tonnes mark, as a matter of fact we have produced 725,400 tonnes of rice this year.”
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, the Agriculture Minister said.

Additionally, he pointed out that the other sectors under the agriculture ministry have also seen major transformation and growth.
“In Region Six alone we are now reaching the million kilogrammes in terms of brackish water shrimp annually, we have started out with 10,000 kg monthly; we have now improved that to over 120,000 kg, so we are moving in the livestock sector.

“I think agriculture generally has done well, except sugar, and I am hoping that we can have a turn around with sugar. I am working with GuySuCo but all the other sectors, I don’t want to preempt the Minister of Finance, but again this year we’ve seen growth in the agriculture sector.”

Mustapha further emphasised that the growth of the agriculture sector is the result of targeted government policies, the adoption of modern farming practices, and ongoing investments in infrastructure and technology.