– Govt launches ‘Farmers Connect GY’ to modernise agriculture sector
FARMERS across Guyana are being urged to embrace a new mobile application that could transform the way they work and safeguard their livelihoods.
Nandalall Bhawan, a farmer from region three, urged fellow farmers across the country to embrace the new technology as the app, ‘Farmers Connect GY’ was officially launched on Wednesday by the Ministry of Agriculture at the National Cultural Centre.
Bhawan was among the first to test the new app, describing it as “practical, easy to use and exactly what we need on the ground”.
The new platform includes an artificial intelligence feature that allows farmers to upload photos of plant diseases and receive immediate suggestions on likely causes and possible treatments, replacing slower, traditional reporting and testing channels.
“Many farmers in Guyana still face setbacks because they lack access, took or refuse to embrace modern technologies that could increase their production.”
“This initiative represents more than just a mobile application. It signals a new direction for agriculture in Guyana, I see this as a great initiative, one step ahead in positioning agriculture as modern, progressive sector, and ensuring that technology reaches every field and every community the farmers can give us confidence that we are not farming alone. We are supported, connected and equipped to succeed,” Bhawan added.
It will also enable farmers to report flooding, blocked canals and other field-level infrastructure issues, giving the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Users’ Associations timely information to guide drainage, irrigation, and flood response.
Speaking at the launch, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said the initiative was a defining moment in the country’s agricultural modernisation drive and a key pillar of President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s broader digital Guyana agenda.
“For too long, farmers have faced challenges accessing real time pricing, receiving timely advisory services and connecting efficiently with buyers and support agencies. This app will change that,” Mustapha said.
He added: “It is designed to close long-standing gaps in information, communication and market access.”
The new application will complement the Agriculture Information System (AIS) that was launched back in 2024, allowing for greater integration of data, improving coordination and advancing extension service delivery.
“The farmers connect app, empowers farmers directly. Over the past years, the Ministry has worked assiduously to build centralised farmers database, which is now integrated with this platform to ensure accurate and up to date information across all regions,” he said.
Mustapha reminded that Guyana is the only country in the world capable of feeding itself across all seven major food groups, including meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, dairy, plant-based proteins, and starches.
He said the government’s ambition now extends beyond self-sufficiency, with Guyana positioning itself as the main food producer in the hemisphere and a driving force in the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) plan to cut the regional food import bill by 25 per cent by 2030.
The platform will provide real-time data on market prices, weather forecasts, climate conditions, pest and disease outbreaks, and soil characteristics across all ten regions. Farmers will be able to use soil maps to determine which crops are best suited to their specific locations, access extension advice instantly and connect directly with buyers, agro-processors and exporters.
