TECHNOLOGY has become the driving force behind Guyana’s agricultural transformation, with investments in precision farming, digital platforms, scientific research and climate-smart production methods reshaping the sector and boosting productivity.
This was disclosed by Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, during a commissioning ceremony last week, during which he stated that the government is moving beyond traditional farming methods to embrace innovation as the foundation of a modern and resilient agricultural sector.
“But at the heart of our agri-system’s transformation lies technology,” Phillips said.
“The sector is embracing technology as a central pillar of agricultural transformation, moving beyond traditional farming methods to adopt precision, technology-driven and climate-smart approaches.”
He said the government’s vision is one where science and innovation work hand in hand with farmers to reduce uncertainty, improve yields and strengthen food security.
Phillips highlighted the significant technological advances already being deployed across several agricultural subsectors.
In rice cultivation, he said, improved varieties, including zinc-fortified and aromatic strains, have been introduced to improve nutrition and market competitiveness while increasing yields.
Farmers are also utilising drones for field monitoring, crop spraying and precision input management, alongside nano fertilisers that improve nutrient uptake and reduce waste.
These interventions, he noted, have helped increase rice production from about 559,789 tonnes in 2021 to more than 810,299 tonnes.
The Prime Minister also pointed to the expansion of climate-smart protected cultivation through shade houses, hydroponics and drip irrigation systems, allowing farmers to produce high-value crops throughout the year while reducing pest and disease pressures.
Scientific plant propagation has also received a major boost through the establishment of a state-of-the-art tissue culture laboratory at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), increasing annual production capacity.
Phillips said farmers are also benefitting from upgraded soil testing laboratories capable of analysing nutrient levels, pH and salinity, while digitised soil maps are supporting more accurate land use planning and fertiliser application.
Further to this, he noted that the introduction of the Farmers Connect app is improving farmers’ access to information, markets and extension services, while digital monitoring platforms are being developed to strengthen drainage and irrigation management and support real-time decision-making.
Meanwhile, he indicated that technology was also transforming livestock production.
He said embryo transfer technology was being used to accelerate genetic improvement, while elevated pens for small ruminants are improving hygiene and reducing disease. Feedlot fattening systems and precision mixed-ration feeding are helping cattle grow faster, while intensive dairy systems now incorporate temperature control, automated monitoring and animal health tracking technologies.
In poultry production, improved genetics, including the importation of grandparent stock from France, are enhancing meat quality and production efficiency.
Meanwhile, drones are being used to identify suitable pond locations for brackish water shrimp production, contributing to increased monthly output, while cage culture systems are being expanded to hinterland communities to create sustainable livelihoods.
“I could go on and on, but time will not permit me to enumerate all the amazing things that we are doing with technology within the agriculture sector today, right here in Guyana,” he said.
Phillips said the results of these investments are already evident, with the agriculture sector recording higher production levels across several commodities and the livestock subsector emerging as one of the fastest-growing areas of the economy.
