Guyana working to ensure foods are organically produced – Mustapha

Authorities are working with farmers to ensure fruits and vegetables are grown organically, according to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha during his appearance on the Guyana Dialogue programme on Thursday evening. “We have a lot of work to do with the farmers. We are working very hard. We have our extension officers, and they are working very hard to produce as much as possible organically,” he explained.
The Agriculture Minister noted too that the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board is also working aggressively to eliminate the use of harmful chemicals in farming practices across the country. “We are having chemicals now that are very environmentally friendly… We are working very hard to increase the produce that is grown organically. We are using nano-fertiliser too. That is very neutral,” he said. While he could not provide exact figures on organic farming practices in the country, the Minister highlighted that all produce from the Government’s shade house project is organically grown.

“Most of this produce, especially the green leafy vegetables, is produced organically. And we are hoping that other produce can also do so. But we are working very hard with the farmers. And it is a work in progress all the time,” he noted. Organic food” refers to food grown and produced without the use of synthetic chemicals, pesticides, antibiotics and additives. The highly nutritious content in organic food, including vitamins, minerals, lower nitrate levels, and higher vitamin C levels, significantly enhances its health importance.
The global organic food market is experiencing rapid growth, with the 2025 market size valued at approximately USD 225-295 billion and projected to exceed USD 650 billion by 2034. Meanwhile, President Dr Irfaan Ali previously pointed out the economic opportunities that exist for farmers by producing food within the halal brand. Halal food is any food or drink that is permissible for Muslims to consume according to Islam. It represents food that is pure, clean, and ethically sourced, following strict guidelines regarding ingredients and slaughtering practices. In fact, President Ali noted that Guyana is looking to tap into the lucrative halal food industry, boosting the production quality of halal meat locally with the help of the Middle East.
“We’re working with the Middle East because we want to set up a halal industry certification programme. So, we’ll have a specialised market, a niche market, but even for our local markets now,” he said. A recent study published in Nature Food has revealed that Guyana is the only nation among 186 that achieves full self-sufficiency in food production. This means the country’s agricultural output is sufficient to meet the nutritional needs of its population without reliance on imports. The Government also plans to make Guyana the food-producing capital of the Caribbean through several major approaches, including diversifying agriculture and operationalising the regional food hub at Yarrowkabra.
The Government plans to include new and non-traditional crops with the integration of climate-smart technology. At the regional food hub, there is a plan to include technologically and scientifically driven storage, processing, and packaging facilities.
An Agri-tech and agro-industrial complex will be established through co-investment with agro-processors to create value-added food production and additional markets for farmers’ fresh produce.
Additionally, the Government will make strategic moves to build a globally competitive agricultural sector, including opening up 100,000 new acres of arable land for cultivation, leading to increased productive capacity.
It also plans to continue upgrading farm-to-market roads in communities to improve ease of access to farmlands and to establish a network of permanent farmers’ markets where farmers can sell their produce directly to consumers.