– Minister Mustapha

As Budget 2025 takes center stage in Parliament, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to revitalizing Guyana’s agricultural sector, particularly the fisheries and aquaculture industries. Addressing the opposition (APNU+AFC), Minister Mustapha highlighted the extensive damage inflicted on the sector between 2015 and 2020 and how the current administration is implementing transformative measures to ensure long-term sustainability and economic growth.

During his budget presentation, Minister Mustapha underscored the significant decline in the fisheries sector under the previous administration, noting that aquaculture productivity saw a sixfold reduction between 2014 and 2019. He attributed this decline to the imposition of VAT on fisheries inputs and high fishing license fees, which discouraged private investment and pushed many fisherfolk out of the industry.

“The APNU/AFC neglected the fisherfolk, giving them little to no incentives to remain in the industry, much less attract new farmers or fishers,” Minister Mustapha stated.
Since 2020, the PPP/C government has prioritized restoring the fisheries and aquaculture industries by working closely with stakeholders. The 2025 budget allocates $1.3 billion to this sector—an 18% increase from the $1.1 billion spent in 2024. This injection of funds is expected to provide greater opportunities for young people and women to participate in aquaculture and further the development of Guyana’s ‘Blue Economy.’

Minister Mustapha highlighted that private sector credit in shrimp and fishing has increased by 66%, demonstrating renewed confidence in the industry. The brackish water shrimp initiative alone earned over $1.8 billion in 2024, with production increasing by an average of 194% per annum since the project’s inception in 2021. To further expand this success, 80 additional brackish water shrimp ponds will be constructed in Region Six in 2025.

The government has also taken proactive steps to mitigate economic challenges for fisherfolk. Minister Mustapha noted that between 2022 and 2023, the administration allocated a one-time cash grant of $150,000 per fisherman, amounting to $1.13 billion, to counteract rising input costs and declining catches.

Additionally, over $600 million was invested in improving 100 landing sites across the country, incorporating washroom facilities, sheds, wharves, solar lighting, ramps, and office buildings. In 2025, further upgrades will be carried out on landing sites in Regions One through Six to enhance operational efficiency and safety.

The minister also outlined the government’s efforts to strengthen security within the industry. In 2023 and 2024, 150 vessel monitoring devices were distributed to artisanal fishers, aiding in the fight against piracy and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. To enhance surveillance further, an additional 100 remote monitoring devices will be acquired in 2025.

A key challenge inherited by the PPP/C government was the 2018 ban on catfish exports to the United States, a direct result of the APNU/AFC government’s failure to implement the necessary regulatory measures. Minister Mustapha reassured the nation that ongoing negotiations with US authorities are progressing well, and he remains optimistic that the ban will soon be lifted, restoring a critical trade avenue for local fisherfolk.

Minister Mustapha emphasized that Budget 2025 is not just a financial plan for the upcoming year but a long-term vision to build a resilient agricultural sector. The PPP/C government’s investments in fisheries, aquaculture, and agricultural infrastructure will create a robust foundation for sustainable development, benefiting generations to come.

“This budget is a collective endeavor. It is not solely the responsibility of the government, but a shared commitment from every citizen who envisions a brighter future for Guyana and the generations that follow,” Minister Mustapha stated.

With strategic investments, sectoral expansion, and a clear vision for sustainability, Budget 2025 sets the stage for unprecedented growth and prosperity within Guyana’s agriculture and fisheries industries, reinforcing the country’s position as a regional leader in the Blue Economy.