– initiative boosts food security and livelihoods in hinterland communities

THE Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Agriculture has taken another significant step toward strengthening sustainable aquaculture in Guyana’s hinterland, with the recent installation of fish cages in the Region Nine communities of Nappi and Shulinab.
The move forms part of the Ministry’s Cage Culture Initiative, which aims to promote climate-resilient food systems, enhance food security, and create new livelihood opportunities for residents across interior regions.
In Shulinab, one fish cage was assembled and installed in the Sawariwau River, marking the community’s first venture into cage culture aquaculture.
Meanwhile, in Nappi, five cages were assembled—two of which have already been installed in the Nappi Reservoir, with the remaining three scheduled for installation in the coming weeks.
As part of the rollout, Fisheries Extension Officers conducted training sessions with villagers on cage management, feeding practices, and harvesting techniques, ensuring community members are equipped to maintain and expand the initiative successfully.
The Ministry described the project as a key element of its national aquaculture expansion strategy, which seeks to diversify local food production and empower rural and hinterland communities through sustainable, small-scale aquaculture enterprises.
By advancing cage culture farming in remote areas, the Ministry of Agriculture continues to promote self-sufficiency, reduce dependence on imported fish, and support economic resilience in indigenous and hinterland communities.