Over 80 agriculture students graduate; charged to advance Guyana’s food security

…as GSA celebrates 60 years of excellence in Agricultural Education

The Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) on Wednesday celebrated a major milestone in agricultural education and national development with its 60th Graduation Ceremony, held at the National Cultural Centre. A total of 84 students received diplomas and certificates in various disciplines, reaffirming the institution’s pivotal role in advancing Guyana’s food security, innovation agenda, and regional agricultural growth.

Delivering the feature address, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha congratulated the graduating class and underscored the crucial role they will play in Guyana’s ongoing transformation. He noted that since its establishment in 1963, GSA has remained a cornerstone of the country’s agricultural development, producing skilled professionals through its programmes in Agriculture, Forestry, Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health, Fisheries Studies, and Agro-Processing.
“Since its founding, the Guyana School of Agriculture has been dedicated to providing high-quality agricultural education and practical training,” Minister Mustapha said. “GSA continues to play a vital role in supporting food security and agricultural innovation across Guyana and the Caribbean. Through collaboration with agencies such as NAREI, the Ministry of Agriculture, and CARICOM partners, the school is helping to drive the region’s goal of reducing the food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.”
Minister Mustapha also emphasised that the graduates are entering the workforce at a time of significant change and modernisation within the agriculture sector. “You are graduating at a time of transformation,” he noted. “Agriculture is no longer just about food—it is about national security, economic growth, and sustainability. The future of this sector depends on your ability to innovate and lead.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Education Sonia Parag, who delivered the charge to the graduates, commended them for their perseverance and dedication. She urged them to apply their skills with integrity and purpose, reminding them that agriculture remains central to Guyana’s identity and prosperity.
“Agriculture has carried this country long before the discovery of oil,” Minister Parag said. “Your training must now serve the nation—whether in animal health, forestry, or agro-processing. It is through your work that Guyana will continue to grow as a food-secure and self-sufficient country.”
She further encouraged the graduates to view their achievement as the start of a lifelong journey of learning and growth, highlighting new opportunities being developed through government initiatives, including future degree programmes in veterinary medicine. “Your achievement is a milestone,” she said. “Use it to propel yourselves forward, and ensure that whatever you do reflects excellence and productivity.”
Minister Parag joined Minister Mustapha and Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture Vickash Ramkissoon in celebrating the achievements of the graduates and the continued impact of the GSA on national and regional development.
Over the past six decades, the Guyana School of Agriculture has produced nearly 5,400 graduates, many of whom have gone on to play leading roles in advancing food production, sustainability, and innovation across Guyana and the wider Caribbean.
The 60th Graduation Ceremony served not only as a commemoration of academic achievement but also as a testament to GSA’s enduring legacy of industry-ready professionals who are helping to modernise agriculture and secure Guyana’s position as a leader in regional food production and innovation.