-Mustapha says ‘agri’ ministry’s outreach helping farmers access financing to expand operations
AGRICULTURE, which is one of Guyana’s fastest developing sectors, is slated to see continued growth through the Guyana Development Bank (GDB) and so far, it accounts for almost 30 per cent of the applications that have been received, according to Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha.
Speaking on Monday at the Farmers’ Conference 2026, the minister noted that the figures and growing interest are a result of work being done to ensure farmers know what financing is available to them and how they can qualify.
He said many producers do not need large sums but require access to smaller amounts that can help them invest in their operations and increase production. This collaborative approach and emphasis on providing opportunities for Guyanese, backed by strategic leadership, is part of the wider effort to strengthen Guyana’s agricultural sector and its role in regional food security.
Highlighting the role of the president in regional agricultural leadership, the minister noted that with growing investment by farmers and continued regional engagement, Guyana’s agriculture sector is positioned to contribute to wider efforts to reduce food imports and strengthen the Caribbean’s food security.
The Farmers’ Conference 2026, which is slated to become an annual event, brought together farmers, agriculture stakeholders, and regional sectoral leaders. The conference served as a platform for farmers and stakeholders to share their challenges, views and opinions and help shape policies impacting the sector.
While work to further develop the sector continues, the minister noted that farmers are already leading in the number of applications currently being made to the Guyana Development Bank, with agricultural applicants accounting for almost 70 per cent of the total.
“Most of the applications are from the farming community, the agriculture sector,” he said.
Mustapha credited the farmers’ strong interest in sensitisation efforts made by the Ministry of Agriculture, which has been working to ensure producers understand the available financing and the requirements for accessing it. “Many farmers need not large sums of money, but they need some money to increase and invest in their buildings. The development bank is one of the areas, and we have done a lot of work in terms of propagating and informing them about what are the criteria to get loan…. And that is why you have almost 70 per cent of the applicants that are farmers,” he said.
The minister’s remarks come as the government continues to prioritise the agriculture sector in Guyana’s national development agenda, with efforts focused on ensuring farmers can benefit from the country’s economic growth.
Mustapha said the development of the sector requires continued engagement with the people who depend on it, noting that farmers’ experiences, concerns, and participation must remain central to decisions affecting their livelihoods.
“As a government, we cannot make progress in agriculture without the farmers themselves. Their experience matters, their concerns matter, and their participation must remain an important part of the decisions that affect their livelihood. That is why gatherings such as this conference are so valuable. They bring people together, encourage dialogue and provide an opportunity to strengthen relationships among farming communities, the government, and the wider agricultural sector,” he said.
He added that the government must ensure that agriculture remains an area where farmers can expand their businesses, young people can see opportunities for their future, and communities can benefit from greater economic activity.
At the regional level, Mustapha highlighted Guyana’s growing role in efforts to strengthen food security across the Caribbean, noting that agricultural development must extend beyond national borders. Moreover, the minister said Guyana is now leading regional efforts in agriculture and food security under President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s leadership.
Highlighting the work and impact the President has made in regional agriculture leadership, Mustapha noted, “Agriculture has an important role to play in achieving these objectives. Under President Ali’s leadership, Guyana has continued to play an important part in regional efforts to strengthen food security and expand agricultural co-operation. His engagement at the CARICOM level reflects an understanding that the opportunities before us are not limited to our national borders,” he said adding, “Today, I am proud to say that Guyana is leading CARICOM under President Ali’s leadership in agriculture and food security.”
Furthermore, Mustapha pointed to the CARICOM 25 by 2025 Plus Five initiative, which he said has helped mobilise capital, policy reforms, and political will across the region to reduce the Caribbean’s collective food import bill and strengthen food security.
He said regional co-operation creates opportunities for countries to share knowledge, strengthen relationships and make better use of available resources. “When our Caribbean neighbours work together, we create opportunities to share knowledge, strengthen relationships and make better use of the resources available to our region,” Mustapha emphasised.
Guyana’s farmers, he noted, remain an important part of these efforts, as the work taking place on farms and throughout agricultural communities contributes not only to national development but also to the country’s ability to support the wider Caribbean.
“Our farmers are an important part of that vital effort. The work taking place in our fields and farms and throughout the agricultural communities contributes to Guyana’s development and strengthens our ability to contribute to the Caribbean. We should take pride in Guyana’s contribution to the Caribbean,” he said, adding that Guyana should take pride in its contribution to regional agriculture and food security as it continues to expand production and create opportunities for farmers.
