World Food Day: Over $26B spent on drainage & irrigation so far in 2023 – Agri Minister

…as importance of water management highlighted

On the occasion of World Food Day, being celebrated today, it has been revealed that the Government has spent over $25 billion this year alone so far to upgrade drainage and irrigation systems critical to the agriculture sector, particularly with the dry weather sweeping the nation.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, in his World Food Day message, spoke of the initiatives that have been undertaken to promote sustainable water use and management of the agriculture sector. In his message, he also referenced the Government’s investments in improving drainage and irrigation.
“The Ministry has undertaken several initiatives to promote sustainable water use and management for agriculture. In 2023, the Government of Guyana invested a sum of $26.2 billion in upgrading the drainage and irrigation systems across the country,” Minister Mustapha said.
“Other initiatives include promoting drip irrigation systems, encouraging rainwater harvesting and improving the hydrological observational network. These measures aim to address the challenges posed by climate change and reduce water wastage while ensuring the long-term viability of the agriculture sector.”
The Minister further explained that the Government is committed to working with its development partners, such as the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank.
Additionally, he recognised the private sector, farmers, academia, civil society and others as valuable stakeholders. According to Mustapha, the Government recognises the need for an integrated management of water resources while also fostering sustainable access to water. According to him, while the Government is addressing this in its policies, individuals also have a responsibility not to waste water.
“In Guyana, where fertile lands and pristine waters define agriculture, we understand the profound connection between water and food. Guyana continues to implement several transformational projects to ensure the food security of the nation and also significantly contribute to the food security of the Caricom Region.”
“It is quite fitting that as we celebrate World Food Day, we are also celebrating Agriculture Month 2023 under the theme “Accelerating Vision 25 by 2025: Investing in Agri-Business and Food Security,” the Agriculture Minister said.
Government’s focus on agriculture is down to the vision of making Guyana the bread basket of the Caribbean and reducing the regional food import bill. President Ali has declared that his Government would be pursuing an aggressive campaign to dismantle regional barriers to agricultural trade and that in the next few years, with the assistance of more diversified crops, Guyana would play a key role in reducing Caricom’s food import bill by 25 per cent.
The Agriculture Ministry was allocated $33.2 billion in Budget 2023 and in March of this year, five agencies attached to the Agriculture Ministry signed 21 contracts totalling $1,130,817,572 to advance the Government’s agricultural agenda. Of the contracts signed, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) received $504 million,
Other agencies that got money include the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), which received $532 million; Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), which got $1 million; Mahaica Mahaicony Abary – Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA), which received $27 million; and the Fisheries Department, which got $15 million.
At present, preparations are also ongoing at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) for the upcoming Agri Investment Forum and Expo – which the Government has hailed as a critical affair for the future of agriculture not just in Guyana but the entire Caribbean.
The Agri Investment Forum and Expo is billed for October 20 to 22, and it is the second such event to be held in Guyana. As of last week, 150 exhibitors and some 100 agro processors, including 30 from overseas territories, had confirmed their participation in the event. Also participating are a number of Heads of Government from countries within the Region.