Govt injects over $2B to assist farmers, fisherfolk in 2022 – Agriculture Ministry

… says high success in new crops recorded

Relief grants and supplies exceeding $2 billion were given in 2022 to support farmers and fisherfolks to continue their operations and cushion rising costs of living, the Agriculture Ministry has said.
In a statement on Friday documenting its achievements for the year, the Ministry related that, nationally, rice, livestock, and cash- crop farmers across Guyana received more than $109 million in flood relief grants, while 7,500 fisherfolks benefitted from grants totalling more than $1.1 billion.
To cushion the impact of the rising cost of fertilizer on farmers, and to limit the impact of rising food prices, $1 billion worth of fertilizer was purchased for free distribution to farmers.

In 2022, $38 billion was allocated to advance Guyana’s agriculture sector, representing an almost 100 percent increase from what was allocated in 2020 at some $19.7 billion. The allocation accounted for approximately seven percent of the national budget.
Looking at achievements for 2022, Guyana hosted the inaugural Regional Agri- Investment Forum and Expo, which provided an opportunity for agri-businesses and organizations to participate and network with potential investors in business-to-business engagements, and to match bankable and shovel-ready business proposals with concrete investments in the regional agriculture sector and agri-food systems.
Through collaboration with the Government of Barbados, work has commenced on the construction of the Guyana/Barbados Food Terminal, which will address the many hurdles of transportation and logistics in the Region. Once established, the facility would also assist in the movement of products and reducing the cost of local produce, while also providing the opportunity to access new markets.

Subsector Achievements
As of September, some 1,479 persons were employed by GuySuCo at the re-opening of estates. This consists of 1,091 previously severed persons and 388 new persons hired for the period August 2020 to September 2022. The mechanisation of the factories is progressing at Blairmont Estate with the first phase of expansion of the packaging plant being in progress.
In the rice sector, exports amounted to approximately US$185 million. Guyana also saw Lebanon coming on board as a new export market, with more than 24 tonnes of packaged white rice being shipped to the country for the year.
Meanwhile, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) facilitated the rehabilitation of pump stations at Albion, Manarabisi and Mibicuri, and rehabilitation of sluices was done at Union, Leguan and Cane Grove, among other locations.
Construction and rehabilitation of pump stations to the tune of $1.3 billion are progressing in Black Bush Polder, Adventure, Canal Number One, Versailles, Cottage, Greenwich Park, Andrews, and Cozier. Additionally, the dredging of the Pomeroon river mouth is ongoing following the procurement of two excavators and a pontoon.
Over at Mahaica/Mahaicony/ Abary Agricultural Development Authority, 128 leases were distributed to farmers. A 5-kilometre all-weather road was done from Onverwagt to Bel Air; maintenance of 730 miles of channel was done monthly; and the seed facility plant has been rehabilitated.
In 2022, some 366 acres of corn and 495 acres of soyabean were sowed. The Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme (AEIP) also launched the use of shade house technology for high-value crops and promoted youth in agriculture.
To date, 120 shade houses have been constructed, with nine nurseries established around the country under the National Coconut Decentralization Programme. The export volume of coconut and coconut products as at November amounted to 7,375 metric tonnes, while 1,000 Brazilian Green Dwarf seed nuts were acquired and another 1,000 are being procured.
This year, some $20 million was approved to procure planting materials for ginger, and 65 farmers commenced planting in mid-August. Meanwhile, 30 farmers cultivated 0.5 acres each of turmeric, which is equal to 15.0 acres, and is expected to yield 14,000 pounds.
For black pepper, 3,193 cuttings were produced where 1,500 were distributed to farmers in Region One; and of the 850 nutmeg seedlings that were generated, 350 were distributed to farmers to aid in expanding cultivation.
Wheat production trials commenced in Regions Eight and Nine, while, under the floriculture project, 2,551 roses have been harvested to date.
In aquaculture, brackish water shrimp production from January to November 2022 increased by over 400 percent. Eight cages were procured for cage fishing, and these have been stocked with Tambaqui fingerlings, and land clearing has commenced at Onverwagt for the Prawns Project (Vannamei).
Under livestock, the Barbados Black Belly Sheep Programme has seen 472 sheep imported. The flock has grown to 494. For beef, the Genetic Improvement Programme saw 64 bulls being imported from Texas, while preliminary civil works have been completed for the establishment of a modular pig slaughtering and processing facility at Garden of Eden.
Guyana’s main export markets in 2022 included the Dominican Republic, France, Antigua, Barbados, USA, Canada, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Legislation & Financing
In August, the Industrial Hemp Bill was passed in the National Assembly, paving the way for prospective growers, processors and builders to maximise the significant opportunities that the hemp industry has to offer.
Also, with technical assistance from FAO, work has commenced on the development of a Food and Security Bill. This will be the first Food and Security Bill in the Caricom Region.
The Republic Bank Limited has pledged US$100M in financing for the regional agriculture sector, and a number of projects have been identified for funding under this financing programme. Last May, following consultations with Government, Demerara Bank’s Farmers Credit Line was launched.