Caribbean’s food capital

Guyana’s drive to become the Caribbean’s food capital signifies a significant opportunity to reposition agriculture as a modern, technology-driven and competitive sector capable of contributing substantially to national development and regional food security.
The vision outlined by President Dr Irfaan Ali during Agriculture Month 2026 shows the changing role of agriculture in an increasingly uncertain global environment. Food production can no longer be viewed solely through the narrow lens of supplying domestic consumption. Food security is directly connected to national resilience, economic strength, employment, foreign exchange earnings and the stability of supply chains.
The country possesses extensive agricultural land, water resources and a growing pool of technical and entrepreneurial capacity. These advantages provide a foundation for expanding production and establishing stronger connections between farming, processing, logistics, markets and exports.
The Government’s stated objective of producing more, processing more and exporting more deserves attention as an agricultural policy, but as part of a broader economic transformation.
The reported increase in the national agricultural budget from $18.4 billion in 2020 to $113.2 billion in 2026 reveals the scale of public investment being directed towards the sector. Such investment, however, must continue to produce measurable improvements in productivity, market access, value addition and incomes for farmers and other participants throughout the agricultural value chain.
Investment in drainage and irrigation, farm-to-market roads, storage, livestock, aquaculture, research, extension services and agro-processing provides important building blocks. Large-scale corn and soybean production in the Intermediate Savannahs also points towards greater diversification of domestic agricultural production and reduced dependence on imported inputs and food products.
Technology must become an increasingly central component of agricultural development. Precision farming, improved genetics, artificial intelligence, digital extension services, hydroponics, protected agriculture and modern poultry systems can improve efficiency and productivity while helping producers respond to changing climatic and market conditions.
Small and medium-sized farmers require access to financing, training, technical assistance and appropriate technologies if the benefits of agricultural modernisation are to be distributed broadly across the sector.
The Guyana Development Bank could become an important component of the agricultural financing landscape, particularly if it expands access to appropriately structured capital for small-scale producers, young entrepreneurs and agro-processors.
The development of agro-processing is equally important. Producing more agricultural commodities without sufficient capacity to store, process, package and transport them would limit the economic returns generated by increased production. Greater value addition within Guyana can create additional employment, strengthen domestic enterprises and expand the range of products available for export.
A successful food-production strategy must accordingly extend beyond the farm gate. Partnerships and consortiums involving established businesses, farmers, investors, young people and women can help mobilise capital, expertise and innovation. Agriculture must increasingly be recognised as an enterprise offering opportunities across production, technology, research, processing, logistics, marketing and international trade.
The emphasis on youth and women is particularly relevant as a modern agricultural sector cannot depend solely on traditional approaches or an ageing producer base. Agriculture must be presented as a viable commercial and professional field in which technology, science, entrepreneurship and innovation have central roles.
The Caribbean continues to face significant food-import dependence, making regional cooperation and stronger intra-Caribbean supply chains essential. Increased Guyanese production could contribute to regional food security while creating new markets for local producers and processors.
The 25 by 2030 initiative provides an existing regional framework within which Guyana’s expanded agricultural capacity can have wider significance. Greater production, processing and exports can strengthen Guyana’s position in CARICOM while supporting efforts to reduce excessive dependence on food imports.
The transformation of agriculture will nevertheless require consistency. Policy continuity, efficient implementation, reliable infrastructure, access to finance, research, technology and strong links between producers and markets will all be necessary to convert national potential into sustained results.
The vision of Guyana as the Caribbean’s food capital is best understood as a long-term economic project rather than a single agricultural programme. Its success will depend on when investment translates into higher productivity, greater value addition, stronger businesses, expanded exports and improved livelihoods.