$450M biotechnology lab commissioned to strengthen non-oil economy

…to produce over 1 million disease-free plantlets annually

In a major investment in agricultural modernisation and food security, the Agriculture Ministry on Tuesday commissioned the country’s first state-of-the-art $450 million Biotechnology Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory, a facility expected to revolutionise plant production and strengthen sustainable farming practices.

The laboratory, which falls under the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), was developed in collaboration with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) of India and financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) under the Sustainable Agricultural Development Program (SADP).
With the capacity to produce over one million plantlets annually, a dramatic increase from the previous 20,000, the facility will supply clean, high-yielding, disease-free planting materials for crops such as pineapple, citrus, plantain, sweet potato, breadfruit, sugarcane, and even exotic fruits like strawberries and blackberries. A plantlet is a small or young plant, often produced through asexual reproduction, that can be used to grow a new plant
Delivering the feature address at the commissioning ceremony, Minister Zulfikar Mustapha described the initiative as a landmark moment in Guyana’s ongoing transformation of the agricultural sector.

“This facility will truly make your study become a reality, where you’re moving out from a classroom and doing theoretical work… Today marks a proud milestone in agricultural transformation that symbolises partnership, progress, and people-centred development.”
He emphasised that the new facility represents far more than just infrastructure but also embodies Guyana’s commitment to science-driven agriculture, food security, and regional leadership in sustainable development.
Further, he stated that the Government continues its efforts to modernise the agriculture sector since 2020 have been guided by a clear vision from President Irfaan Ali to ensure resilience, innovation, and self-sufficiency. “We are seeing a transformation taking place in our country and within the institutions of the Ministry of Agriculture. This is another step in modernising our premier research institution,” Mustapha said.
“Our farmers are excited that we are increasing plant production 50 times. This is a tremendous achievement.”
The Minister also linked the project to the broader CARICOM 25 by 2025 initiative, which seeks to reduce the region’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2030.
“As the global population rises and climate change threatens productivity, we must turn to biotechnology and research-based solutions to secure our nation,” he added. In his remarks, Chairman of NAREI’s Board of Directors, Major General (Ret’d) Joseph Singh, urged the scientists and technicians who will operate the facility to view it as more than a research hub. “I urge those who will be working here to see it for what it is, an instrument not just to satisfy our own research ambitions, but to deliver to our farmers, medium, small, and large,” Singh said.
Meanwhile, IDB Representative Lorena Solórzano Salazar highlighted the laboratory’s potential to help diversify Guyana’s economy and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
“This project opens the door for diversification, creating opportunities for high-value and export-orientated crops,” Salazar stated. “When research, business, and policy move together, it flourishes the economy. Agricultural innovation is not just about growing more but about growing sustainably.” The commissioning of the Biotechnology Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory marks another significant step in Guyana’s drive to enhance agricultural productivity, resilience, and innovation, cementing its role as a regional leader in food security and sustainable agriculture.