A DIGITAL seafood market platform is among several key initiatives outlined in the 2026 National Budget to support the continued expansion of Guyana’s fisheries and aquaculture industry.
This was last week revealed by Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, during his contribution to this year’s Budget Debate.
“The fisheries department, as I said, $1.5 billion is allocated to this sector. We’ll see upgrading of new landing sites. We’ll see the construction of a feed mill, we’ll now produce our own larvae [and] the shrimp hatchery will come into effect this year,” he said.
This year’s fiscal package also includes plans to develop aquaculture hubs and expand cage culture in hinterland communities, upgrade marine landing sites, and strengthen management systems for industrial fishing fleets.
“We’ll expand the cage culture, and we’ll install more vessel-tracking devices, and also we’ll launch a digital seafood market platform from the Ministry of Agriculture,” Minister Mustapha told the National Assembly on Tuesday last.
The digital platform will connect fisherfolk directly with local and international buyers.
In 2025, the government facilitated the construction of 236 acres of brackish water shrimp pond and installed 37 fish cages and operationalised 14 in Regions Two, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Nine and 10.
The government also installed 100 vessel-monitoring devices, completed the infrastructure for a shrimp hatchery, and advanced the civil works for a feed mill.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali had previously pledged heavy investment in mega-scale farms and artificial intelligence -driven production systems, to transform the country’s food production systems leveraging new technologies.
The President had explained then that the integration of digital platforms is expected to become a central tool for farmers, providing round-the-clock access to expert guidance, real-time data, and on-demand support.
The ultimate aim is to modernise traditional agricultural practices, and enable farmers to adopt more precise, efficient, and climate-resilient methods.
President Ali reiterated that the initiative forms part of a broader commitment to modernise agriculture, increase competitiveness, and position the country as a regional leader in food production.
The government has already mapped out plans for a smart surveillance system which supports predictive analytics and early- warning mechanisms, enabling a more proactive approach to farming.
This digital transformation of Guyana’s agriculture sector aligns with broader national goals of food security, climate resilience, and economic diversification.
