By Bebi Shafeah Oosman

MINISTER of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha has said that over 80% of farmers are currently on board for crop insurance, which is the brainchild of President, Dr Irfaan Ali and the Government of Guyana, which will ensure an added level of security to farmers.
In July, 2025, President Irfaan Ali launched the ground-breaking crop insurance programme aimed at benefitting more than 6,000 rice farmers across Guyana.
The initiative, introduced in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, UPL Costa Rica, Philip Morris International, and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) marks a major step towards strengthening the nation’s agricultural resilience.
On Sunday, Minister Mustapha met with farmers at the four polders in Black Bush to assess the current flooding situation and put additional systems in place.
While touching on the crop insurance, Mustapha said, “this here shows the vision of our President; now those farmers who would be affected during this crop, the rice crop, will be helped with the insurance.”
Mustapha noted that UPL has partnered with the Demerara Mutual Life Insurance Company “and I will be meeting with them tomorrow [Monday)] to put all the system in place, all the weather stations are already put in place, and the farmers will be receiving their certificate very shortly.”
He added, “I know the vision of the President, he knows this area, Guyana as a whole because of the unpredictable climate that we have that farmers are very vulnerable and now we are seeing that the help that we have put in place will be activiated very shortly.”
At the launch in July, President Ali had described it as a clear reflection of the government’s commitment to safeguarding livelihoods and fortifying the rice sector.
“This launch signifies not only a bold step in climate resilience, but also a demonstration of the government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the livelihoods of our farmers and strengthening the foundation of our national food security,” the President had said.
He emphasised that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is determined to ensure that rice remains a staple in Guyana’s food system and a central pillar of the agricultural economy.
Under the agreement, over 6,000 rice farmers will receive free agricultural insurance coverage for a period of three years, with no premiums required.
The insurance is designed to cover losses from extreme weather events such as flooding and drought, two of the most pressing threats in recent years.
“When rice farmers go to the bank now, they can go with the insurance. And with the insurance, the risk is reduced and so is the cost at the bank,” the President said.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy to introduce modern agricultural technologies and reduce the sector’s vulnerability to climate shocks.
“Through this agreement, we will not only provide insurance assistance to reduce the risks posed by adverse weather, but we will also implement a pilot innovative rice farming system involving modern technology,” Dr Ali had also stated.
He recalled the devastating floods of 2011, which impacted over 2,000 rice farmers and caused extensive damage to the agriculture sector, prompting over $2 billion in emergency relief.
“We want partners that will help us build a sustainable food system and develop agriculture. UPL will ensure this,” the President added, praising the company for its leadership in BioSolutions and precision farming.