Guyana has reached a major milestone in the fight against hunger, with undernourishment levels falling below 2.5 per cent.
Statistics also show that this figure was significantly lower than the regional average of 6.6 per cent and the global average of 9.1 per cent, which ultimately positions Guyana as a leader in food security across the Caribbean and Latin America.
During a recent High-Level Dialogue: Reflections on the fight against hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean., Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha highlighted the country’s success in reducing hunger, attributing it to deliberate interventions.
“This achievement has not been accidental, but as a result of deliberate policy interventions aimed at enhancing food production and improving access to nutritious food,” Mustapha stated.
He added, “It is a moral imperative, and that is why we are here today – to share our experiences, learn from each other, and renew our collective commitment to eradicate hunger and malnutrition as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal Two.”
In addition to reducing undernourishment, Mustapha highlighted that Guyana has made substantial progress in addressing food insecurity.
While the new figure is an improvement in comparison to previous times, Mustapha acknowledged that it still means that many Guyanese are affected by food insecurity.
He also emphasised that Guyana’s strategy is built around two main goals: expanding the agricultural sector and becoming a leading exporter of agricultural products within the Region.
These initiatives fall under the Vision 25 by 2025 plan, which aims to reduce Caricom’s food import bill by 25 per cent by the year 2025.
“Our focus remains on ensuring that no one is left behind,” Mustapha said, explaining the need for regional food self-sufficiency through enhanced domestic production.
Meanwhile, he mentioned that Guyana has been expanding agricultural production across key sectors such as crops, livestock, fisheries, and aquaculture.
On this point, the Minister pointed out that the Government’s swift response to the devastating 2021 floods – Guyana’s worst on record – was a clear example of its commitment to food security.
“The 2021 floods affected 130,000 acres of farmland and approximately 1.3 million animals. The Government responded swiftly with $7 billion in financial support to farmers, and within six months, food production had rebounded,” he noted.
Mustapha also highlighted Guyana’s leadership role in regional food security efforts under the guidance of President Dr Irfaan Ali, who serves as the lead head on agriculture and food security within Caricom.
“Since President Ali has taken that mantle, we have seen a renewed interest in food security across the Caribbean,” Mustapha said.
He added, “Economies that were built on tourism and other industries are now aggressively pursuing food production, and Guyana is leading the charge. We are offering technical advice and cooperation around the Caribbean to help countries that now have to produce their own food.”
In closing, Mustapha reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to maintaining its leadership in regional food security.
“We have shown our commitment through targeted investments in agriculture, and as a region, we must continue to work together to ensure that we are prepared for future challenges,” he said.
