THE Government of Guyana has so far pumped more than $600 million into the development of the brackish water shrimp project in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), according to Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha.

The minister made this disclosure while providing an update on the government’s ongoing aquaculture initiatives, highlighting that the investment underscores the administration’s commitment to diversifying the agricultural sector and boosting income opportunities for communities.

Minister Mustapha explained that the brackish water shrimp project, which has been expanding rapidly across the Corentyne Coast, continues to show significant promise, both in production and in creating sustainable livelihoods.

He noted that the government’s substantial investment has gone toward pond rehabilitation, infrastructural upgrades, the installation of aeration and drainage systems, as well as training and technical support for farmers.

Minister Mustapha reiterated that the aquaculture sub-sector remains a critical pillar in Guyana’s food security agenda and plays a key role in the government’s broader strategy to modernise and diversify the agricultural industry.

“The government has been spending a lot of money. I just called the officer and over $600 million has already been expended on this project since we started,” he stated, explaining that investment resulted in production being moved from 10,000kg to 120,000kg.

He explained that  according to available statistics, two years ago the industry earned over $1.6 billion. “And that money circulated back into the community, that’s what we are talking about.”

Minister Mustapha told those gathered that one of the government’s commitments is to work with brackish water shrimp farmers to enhance their holdings to have better production and this has been a continuous process. “We have achieved that objective. To an extent, we want to ensure that all the persons who are initially involved in this project… that they get the work done.”

One of the challenges, he noted, was the claim that operators are not working. This was dealt with during a meeting on Saturday last.

“The main purpose of this meeting here this morning is to listen to you to see how we can resolve all the issues and when we leave here today, we must ensure that we leave with an understating that all the irritants, all the problems plaguing this project will be addressed.

“We have to ensure that we have value for money. We are not seeing correspondingly that the price for shrimp has dropped. As a matter of fact, y’all increase the prices. The government’s interest is to ensure that we make this thing easier, more production, so that the consumer out there can get things at a cheaper cost; that’s the intention of the government.”

According to Minister Mustapha, such investments are to ensure that the entire country benefits.

“This is the diversification we are talking about. That is why we are working with every one of you to enhance this form of production. When you increase production, when you sell your shrimp, the money will recirculate back within the economy of the community,” he added.

Minister Mustapha stressed that direct and indirect benefits through their investments to citizens are at the forefront of government’s agenda. “And we will continue to work and this programme, I want to tell you that it has been one of the most successful projects that we started, and we will continue to enhance it.”

He noted that the programme has moved from 80 farmers to 150 farmers, “and only this part of the country, on the Corentyne this activity is taking place.”

However, due to the noticeable success, people in Regions Two, Four and Five now want to start this project. The minister said the plan is to bring the project to these regions shortly.

He added that they would have already done the survey in Regions Four and Five. “So, what you have …is a very innovative industry. Now people want to replicate it across the country.”

Meanwhile, the minister also encouraged shrimp farmers to take care of their farms, noting the sizable investment the government is making.