Renaissance in Guyana’s agriculture sector

Dear Editor,
No one can doubt there is an agriculture renaissance in Guyana, which is marked by the renewed understanding and recommitment to the fundamental role of agriculture in the nation’s development process by the PPP/C Government, and driven by the most competent Agriculture Minister ever. There are several different approaches underway that indicate the continued upward progress of the agriculture sector is guaranteed. This is so despite the many challenges which faced the sector – especially the regular, damaging floods experienced since last year – and which continue to plague the sector.
In retrospective, during the Coalition’s tenure in office, this sector suffered immensely when they embarked on several preposterous and vindictive acts, such as cutting of the budgetary allocation, placing fortune-seekers in top positions, and positioning the worst and most visionless Agriculture Minister ever to ensure that the downward decline is rapid and devastating.
This has been dealt with by many intellectuals. This period was a replication of what the sector faced under the PNC during its 28 years of dictatorial rule.
Fortunately, it came to a screeching halt in 2020.
This Government is investing heavily in all areas of the agriculture sector, and not only in the traditional areas such as rice and sugar. A sum of $28.7 billion was budgeted this year to further spur development in the agriculture sector. Some of these new projects pursued by the Ministry of Agriculture are outlined below, and these will see major increase and opening up of new markets, not only locally, but regionally and internationally.
The President has recognised the importance of brackish water shrimp production, which has “a very huge potential in the diaspora”, and this project is intended to move production from 450,000 kilograms annually by 300%. This project is already underway, and will be an outstanding foreign exchange contributor.
Added to this is the fish cage project, which has already commenced at Mainstay/Whyaka in Region 2. It is estimated that this has the potential to produce 11 metric tonnes of fish every 9 months, and each cage can earn a profit of $10 million per year. We are a pioneer in this regard in the Caribbean.
Another lucrative project is the corn and soya bean production at Ebini, along the Berbice River, and this has all the signs of success. Minister Mustapha stated that, “The trial was very successful”, and there are plans to increase production from 125 acres to 3,000 acres by this year, and 25,000 acres by the next 3 years. Guyana will not only be self-sufficient, but will be an exporter. This will be another foreign exchange earner.
This Government is also cognisant of the importance on non-traditional crops such as carrot, broccoli and cauliflower. These are imported into Guyana, and command high prices in the market. There is huge demand in Guyana and the Caribbean.
In this venture, President Ali is targeting youths, and works have already commenced to construct 25 shade houses for the cultivation of the 3 crops. This is rolled out under the Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme (AIEP). The long-term plan is to produce 7,000 tonnes. This is a direction which will not only benefit farmers, but consumers as well. Already there are some small farmers producing broccoli and cauliflower, which was showcased at the Farmers Markets held across the country.
In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture is supporting small farmers who are cultivating strawberries and grapes. But this project has now grown to more than 54 shade houses, and it is expected to increase to 300 because of its success, according to Minister Mustapha. Already, the produce is sold to leading hotels. Moreover, shade houses are now introduced in schools across the country, ensuring that the knowledge of this new project becomes embedded in our young people early in life, and that a career in agriculture is just as rewarding as any other.
Moreover, the Ministry of Agriculture is providing the necessary marketing support to enhance the value chain. Minister Mustapha earlier this year explained this, “We have been meeting with various stakeholders: farmers, middlemen, agro-processors, sellers and exporters, to discuss the issues facing their particular value chain and how to support the improvement of the chain with support from the Agriculture agencies”.
The Government would also invest heavily in agro-processing, which would ensure that produce do not perish, but increase in value. We have seen the vagaries of demand and supply wreaking havoc on farmers. The increased production would take care of the prices, which would be stabilised.
In addition, poultry farmers and prospective ones are given Black Giant birds, each of which can produce approximately 200 eggs per annum and 4.5 kg of meat. These birds would greatly increase the supply of both eggs and chicken to meet the local demands.
We have also seen the introduction of Black Belly sheep in Regions 5 and 6, which would boost the production of mutton locally and for the international market, especially Caricom. At the launching of this project in Region 5, the President emphasised the lucrativeness of this market.
The list of new and pioneering projects in agricultures will continue to grow and expand. There is a renaissance in agriculture, and Guyana will be the champion of food security in the Caribbean, as envisioned by the PPP/C Government.

Yours sincerely,
Haseef Yusuf