– more land, infrastructure, incentives, and hands-on support for farmers

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has once again underscored his government’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding and expanding Guyana’s rice industry, declaring it a national priority that will continue to benefit from major investments and policy support.

Addressing rice farmers and residents at the launch of a landmark crop insurance programme at the Anna Regina Secondary School on Tuesday, President Ali detailed a series of initiatives designed to modernise the industry, protect farmers against risk, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of the sector.
“The rice industry will remain viable because we are investing in it, expanding it, and making it more resilient,” the President told the gathering.
As part of the push to secure the sector’s future, President Ali announced that an additional 20,000 acres of new rice lands will be made available to clusters of rice farmers, boosting production and opening new opportunities for cultivation.

He also highlighted the government’s investment in modern equipment to help farmers reduce operational costs and increase efficiency, alongside critical infrastructure upgrades across rice-producing regions.

Access to quality seed paddy and fertiliser support will be further strengthened to help farmers boost yields, while tax incentives for agriculture-related inputs — including fertiliser plants — will help reduce overhead costs and keep Guyana’s rice competitive on global markets.
New high-capacity drying facilities are also planned to cut post-harvest losses and protect farmers’ returns. Real-time agricultural extension services will be expanded, providing farmers with timely technical support and practical guidance in the field.

PROTECTING FARMERS FROM PRICE VOLATILITY
President Ali noted that his administration is moving to implement price stabilisation mechanisms to cushion farmers against unpredictable swings in global rice prices — ensuring income security and steady cash flow for crop cycles ahead.

“We are not just offering words — we are delivering tangible, meaningful support that empowers our rice farmers,” the President affirmed. He further emphasised that the government is using Guyana’s growing oil revenues to re-invest in traditional sectors like rice, strengthening the country’s food security and rural livelihoods for generations to come.
Local farmers welcomed the President’s message and expressed gratitude for what they described as timely and practical support in an industry that remains the backbone of many communities along the coast and in the hinterland.

“President Irfaan Ali is a very active leader. Whenever we have a problem and we raise it, it’s always fixed — he is a true leader,” one rice farmer said at the event.
As Guyana balances new oil wealth with the resilience of its traditional industries, the rice sector remains firmly at the heart of the government’s vision for a diverse, competitive, and secure national economy.