Innovation, technology key to food security – Mustapha

Agriculture Month 2026

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has called for greater use of innovation, technology, and climate-smart practices as Guyana seeks to strengthen food security, increase production and expand its presence in regional and international markets.
In his message for Agriculture Month 2026, being observed under the theme “Innovate, Nourish, Grow: Building a Strong and Sustainable Guyana”, Mustapha said the global food security situation, climate change, extreme weather events, and disruptions to international supply chains have highlighted the importance of countries being able to produce more of their own food.
He said that strengthening El Niño conditions and the associated risks of drier periods and higher temperatures underscore the need for climate-resilient agriculture, effective water management and greater preparedness.
According to Mustapha, innovation must include increased use of science, technology, research, mechanisation, digital agriculture, and climate-smart production systems.
He said the Government is continuing investments in drainage and irrigation, farm-to-market infrastructure, agro-processing, research, training, and technology to improve productivity and competitiveness across the agricultural value chain.
The Agriculture Minister pointed to the 11.5 per cent growth recorded by the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector in 2025, saying the performance demonstrates the sector’s contribution to economic diversification and long-term development.
He credited farmers, fisherfolk, agro-processors, and agricultural workers for the sector’s progress.
Mustapha said the transformation of agriculture is already being reflected in the use of drone-assisted operations, hydroponic farming, the Farmers Connect App, digital technologies, and tunnel-ventilated poultry systems.
Rice production, he noted, increased from approximately 500,000 tonnes in 2020 to 810,299 tonnes in 2025.

Modernise & diversify
The Government is also continuing efforts to modernise and diversify the sugar industry while expanding aquaculture, livestock, and agro-processing.
Mustapha said investments in cold storage, logistics and market infrastructure are intended to reduce post-harvest losses, improve efficiency, and help producers access new markets.
He also highlighted the development of the Regional Food Hub and supporting infrastructure, which he said will strengthen Guyana’s capacity to supply agricultural products to regional and international markets.
The Minister said agriculture’s importance extends beyond production and economic indicators, pointing to its role in ensuring access to safe, affordable and nutritious food while creating livelihoods and strengthening communities.
He said production across 15 priority commodities increased by 27.9 per cent between 2020 and 2025, strengthening Guyana’s ability to meet domestic demand while contributing to regional food security.
Mustapha also referenced Guyana’s contribution to CARICOM’s Vision 25 x 2025+5 target, which seeks to reduce the region’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2030.
He said greater opportunities are also being created for women and young people across the agricultural value chain through access to training, technology, financing and productive resources.
“The future of agriculture depends on attracting a new generation of innovators, producers, entrepreneurs and business leaders,” Mustapha said.
Agriculture Month will feature activities across the country, including farmers’ markets, the inaugural Farmers’ Conference and the Annual Honey Fest.
Mustapha said the activities will provide opportunities to showcase farmers and agro-processors, strengthen connections between producers and consumers, exchange knowledge and highlight the contribution of agricultural workers to Guyana’s development.
He said the Government remains committed to developing an agriculture sector that is innovative, resilient, competitive, and inclusive, while strengthening Guyana’s role in regional food and nutrition security.