— excavators for all sub-districts, shade houses for every village

REGION NINE is set for a significant boost in agriculture infrastructure, with Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, announcing, on Wednesday, that each of the region’s five sub-districts will receive an excavator, while every village will benefit from a modern shade house facility to accelerate smart agriculture.
The announcement was made during the South Rupununi Development Council Statutory meeting in Lethem, where Mustapha reaffirmed the government’s long-term commitment to advancing hinterland development.
Mustapha described the investments as part of a deliberate national strategy to modernise production systems in the hinterland, strengthen food security and equip communities for the coming regional food hub.
He told residents that the administration continues to expand its annual budgets and targeted work programmes to ensure Region Nine keeps pace with the country’s broader development agenda.
“He conveyed to the gathering, to significant applause, that the residents of Region 9 and other Hinterland communities have a steadfast ally in the government, specifically the People’s Progressive Party Administration,” a release from the ministry said.

The minister also confirmed that two solar-powered cold storage facilities will be delivered to the region, a move aimed at reducing post-harvest losses, improving meat and dairy handling, and supporting new value-added ventures.
Additional agro-processing facilities are also planned, and the Guyana Marketing Corporation will secure markets for value-added products emerging from the region.
During the engagement, Mustapha encouraged farmers to scale up cassava production to meet growing demand for processed by-products, noting that climate-smart agriculture remains central to the government’s approach.
He said Region Nine will be integrated into emerging national initiatives such as cage culture, expanded livestock development, and enhanced dairy production.
The minister further highlighted plans to transform the Guyana School of Agriculture into a centre of excellence, including the creation of farms specifically designed for persons with disabilities, who will manage and operate them.
He underscored that these reforms are designed to ensure no community or demographic is left behind as the sector evolves.

Residents were also presented with three new tractors, fertilisers, seeds, chemicals, baby chicks and a range of farming tools to support immediate production. Several communities received cheques, and a new minibus was handed over as part of continued government support.
Mustapha was accompanied by Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Sarah Browne, who reaffirmed that hinterland communities remain a priority for her ministry as well.
The engagement also saw the attendance of Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Dhaneshwar Deonarine, the Regional Chairman, Regional Executive Officer and other regional and ministerial officials.