Minister Mustapha meets with agri agencies to advance Govt 5-year plan

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, held a series of strategic meetings Thursday with staff from the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), and the Agriculture Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programme (AIEP) to discuss the implementation of Government policies and programmes over the next five years.

Addressing staff at NAREI, Minister Mustapha described the Institute as “the backbone of Guyana’s agricultural innovation system,” emphasising that the work of its researchers and technical personnel directly influences productivity, sustainability, and rural livelihoods. “The success of our agriculture sector depends on scientific leadership and practical solutions,” he said, urging staff to continue driving innovation across all areas of research and extension.

At the GLDA, Minister Mustapha highlighted the importance of grounding policies and practices in science. He called for the modernisation and expansion of genetics, breeding, animal health, biosecurity, and extension services. The Minister also stressed that disease surveillance and vaccination programmes remain national priorities, forming a critical part of the Authority’s animal health and biosecurity framework. During his visit to the AIEP office, Minister Mustapha acknowledged the growing participation of young people in agriculture as a result of Government policies and investments. He praised the programme—initiated by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali—as a regional and international model for fostering agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship, providing young farmers with access to resources and opportunities for growth.

Overall, Minister Mustapha reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening the capacity and resources of every agency under the Ministry of Agriculture. He noted ongoing investments in research infrastructure, climate-smart technologies, improved extension services, and staff training and development. The Minister also encouraged staff to remain dedicated and closely connected to the communities they serve, emphasising that collective effort will be key to executing the Government’s agricultural mandate. Minister Mustapha was joined by Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Vikash Ramkissoon, and the Ministry’s Director General, Mr Dhaneshwar Deonarine. This meeting comes just weeks after the general elections held on September 1, 2025, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) secured a decisive victory, with President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali being re-elected for a second term. The PPP/C won 36 of the 65 seats in the National Assembly, while the newly formed We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party secured 16 seats, and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) won 12 seats.

President Ali was officially sworn in on September 7 and has since reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to leveraging the nation’s oil wealth for sustainable development, including significant investments in infrastructure, education, and agriculture.