Reg 2 farmers to receive additional machinery as Gov’t moves to boost agricultural production

The Guyana Government is intensifying its efforts to transform Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) into a thriving agricultural hub through increased funding and the provision of cutting-edge machinery.

This is according to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who has pledged the administration’s unwavering commitment to this initiative, which aims to enhance crop production and agricultural activities across the region.
During a recent community meeting with farmers and residents at the Rice Producers Association Bond in Anna Regina, Minister Mustapha disclosed that the region will be provided with additional amphibious excavators and small machines.
He noted that the tools are part of broader efforts to modernise agriculture and establish Guyana as a leading food hub in the Caribbean.
“We are producing 60 per cent of the food that we are consuming in our country. The President said we must strive to produce all. We must produce all the food. So, what he gave us is direction, the vision that he has. He wants Guyana to be that food-production country. He wants Guyana to ensure that we are a food hub in the region and we are striving towards that. We have gone into new areas for the first time. For the first time, we are now producing our own corn and soya. We are hoping by the end of 2025 that we can produce all our needs and also be a net exporter to the region.
“So, we will continue, we will continue to revolutionise this sector … Region 2, you are in for a massive transformation,” the Minister told the gathering.
Over the last four years, farmers in the region have received over 12 new pieces of machinery, as well as numerous upgrades, including the rehabilitation of thousands of lots, the restoration of over 60 canals, and the distribution of free planting materials.
These initiatives, the Minister noted are paying off significantly, with Region Two achieving a record-breaking harvest of over 725,000 tonnes of rice—a remarkable milestone in one of Guyana’s key agricultural exports.
“And today, I want to tell you, with the leadership that our President has given us as a country, we have seen a massive transformation. For the first time on the Essequibo here, we have seen the last crop, we have planted 36,000 acres of rice, and that will continue to increase. And this came about because of the investment over the last four years. Approximately $10 billion was expended in the agriculture sectors alone. We as a Government, we never thought that rice, activity of rice growing is a private business. We addressed the situation when we got back into Government,” he added.
On this point, the Agriculture Minister reaffirmed that more trailblazing initiatives are on the horizon, further solidifying Region Two’s role as a pillar of the nation’s agricultural success.
He also emphasised that Guyana’s strides in agriculture are drawing the attention of foreign investors. While the oil and gas industry has been a major focus, agriculture is seeing renewed interest and investment, with many returning to capitalise on the sector’s growth.