GUYANA is playing an increasingly important role in strengthening agriculture across the Caribbean, with local technical experts helping several regional countries build capacity as they work towards improving food security, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha has said.
The minister was at the time delivering remarks at the recent commissioning of a state-of-the-art tunnel-ventilated poultry pen project, during which he indicated that Guyana’s transformation into a regional agricultural leader has enabled it to share its expertise with neighbouring countries seeking to expand food production.
According to the minister, Guyana’s technical personnel are already working in several Caribbean states to support the development of their agricultural sectors.
“Guyana is now helping to build capacity. Guyana have their technical people working and helping out in those countries to build their agricultural sector. That is the importance of food security,” Mustapha said.
He explained that under President Dr Irfaan Ali’s leadership of CARICOM’s agriculture and food security agenda, there has been renewed regional interest in expanding agricultural production, particularly in countries whose economies have traditionally relied on sectors such as tourism and energy.
Mustapha identified Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Grenada among the countries making greater investments in agriculture.
“Since he has taken up the mantle of leadership in that area, we have seen a renewed interest not only in Guyana, but across the Caribbean countries,” the minister said.
He noted that Guyana’s efforts are aligned with CARICOM’s commitment, adopted in Belize in 2021, to reduce the region’s food-importation bill by 25 per cent through increased local production.
Mustapha expressed confidence that the regional target could be achieved, arguing that Guyana’s continued expansion of agricultural production would be central to its success.
“If that has to be successful, then Guyana has to be successful,” he said, adding that he was optimistic the initiative would become a reality by 2030.
Against this backdrop, the minister also pointed to investments being made to support Guyana’s own agricultural expansion, including the construction of a grain hub at Yarrowkabra and preparations to capitalise on the planned regional ferry service, which is expected to improve the movement of agricultural produce among Caribbean countries.
He said these initiatives would position Guyana not only to satisfy domestic demand, but also to increase exports to regional markets.
As such, Mustapha said that Guyana’s growing agricultural sector has earned recognition across the Caribbean.
“The impression of Guyana is that Guyana today is an agriculture powerhouse that is driving agriculture and food security in the Caribbean,” he said.
He added that the government will continue investing in modern agriculture and regional collaboration, as Guyana seeks to cement its role as a leading contributor to the region’s food-security objectives.
