Hundreds of millions budgeted to enhance high-value crop production

In 2023, the agriculture sector will see an injection of hundreds of millions of dollars to support high-value crops, through infrastructure and other developments.
Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh said Government’s agricultural strategy will be built around three major initiatives – a regional food hub to promote improved access to markets; establishment of the capability to use science and technology in the sector; and promotion of hinterland agriculture and food self-sufficiency.
During his budget presentation, he said these initiatives will be supported by an allocation of $2 billion in Budget 2023 to ensure food security.
Some $150 million will be expended for a wharf in the Tacama area, providing access to cultivated corn and soya. Meanwhile, a new high-yielding and disease-resistant coconut variety will be introduced to farmers with eight demonstration plots.
To increase the production of ginger and turmeric, a sum of $153 million is budgeted to improve processing capacity at Hosororo, Parika, and Linden-Soesdyke, reducing drying time from three to five days; to eight hours.
Distribution of over 100,000 citrus seedlings is planned for 2023.
Rice remains a dominant contributor to agriculture, and $300 million has been set aside to promote production. Two new drying floors will be constructed as well as investments to boost research capabilities.
“We will introduce new biofortified rice varieties. Our work to secure new markets will continue all with the interest of growing the industry and improving well-being for those operating in and dependent on that industry.”
Singh pointed out that his Government met a neglected sugar sector in 2020. This year, $4 billion is injected into the Guyana Sugar Corporation which will be used to establish the Albion Packaging Plant and expansion of capacity at the Blairmont Packaging Plant among other investments.
The agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector expanded by an estimated 11.9 per cent in 2022. This was attributed to the rice, livestock, and forestry industries.
The rice sector grew by 8.1 per cent with total production of 610,595 tonnes. The other crops sector grew by 15.3 per cent, with expansions across all crop categories.
Sugar reportedly declined by 18.9 per cent in 2022, with production totalling 47,049 tonnes. This was due to the lingering effects of the 2021 floods which caused lower yields per hectare and reduced cane quality.
Meanwhile, livestock grew by nine per cent with the production of pork, poultry, mutton, and beef growing by 15.8 per cent, 12 per cent, 10.1 per cent, and 1.8 per cent, respectively. On the decline were eggs and milk by 37.5 per cent and 10.8 per cent, respectively.
The fishing industry contracted by 4.8 per cent in 2022, attributed to lower marine production, with shrimp and fish production falling by 4.1 per cent and 0.7 per cent, respectively.