By| Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News|
“Closing the Gap”: Minister Mustapha Champions Innovation at FAO LARC 39 in Brazil
BRASÍLIA, BRAZIL — Addressing the 39th Session of the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean (LARC 39), Guyana’s Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha called for a “holistic and coordinated” regional effort to eradicate hunger. Speaking virtually from March 4–6, 2026, the Minister positioned Guyana as a leader in agricultural transformation, emphasizing that closing productivity gaps is the only path to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 and 2.
The conference, hosted at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasília, focused on the “Four Betters” framework—Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life.
A Regional Success Amid Local Challenges
While the region has seen a significant decline in food insecurity—with over 6 million fewer hungry people in 2024 compared to 2020—Minister Mustapha warned of a growing disparity.
- Caribbean Vulnerability: The Minister expressed deep concern over the “sharp increase in hunger” within the Caribbean subregion, contrasting it with improvements in South America.
- Affordability Crisis: He noted that the region faces the highest cost for a healthy diet globally, with an average cost of $5.16 per day, leaving approximately 27% of the population unable to afford adequate nutrition.
Guyana’s “Tech-First” Strategy
Minister Mustapha highlighted Guyana’s aggressive shift toward science-led agriculture to shield farmers from climate volatility.
- Tissue Culture Expansion: He showcased the state-of-the-art laboratory at NAREI, which has ramped up production from 13,000 to one million disease-resistant plants annually.
- Climate-Smart Tools: Guyana is prioritizing hydroponics, precision farming, and the introduction of nano-urea fertilizers to maximize nutrient uptake while minimizing environmental waste.
- Pre-Crop Insurance: To mitigate risks, Guyana launched a premium insurance scheme in 2025 that now protects over 4,200 rice farmers from flood and drought losses.
Social Inclusion: The 35% Target
A key pillar of Guyana’s presentation was the commitment to ensuring that agricultural growth is socially inclusive.
- Youth and Women: The government has set a minimum 35% participation target for youth and women in all agricultural projects.
- Entrepreneurship: The Shade House Programme has already enabled over 700 entrepreneurs to produce high-value crops, while the Agriculture Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programme (AIEP) supports over 300 young people in apiculture and aquaculture.
- Financial Access: Mustapha announced plans for a Development Bank that will offer zero-interest and zero-collateral loans specifically for small farmers and vulnerable groups.
LARC 39 Outcomes & Priorities
| Regional Priority | Specific Action / Focus |
| Efficient Production | Using science and innovation to reduce productivity gaps. |
| Better Nutrition | Scaling up social protection to ensure healthy diet affordability. |
| Sustainable Management | Better governance of water and soil resources under climate stress. |
| Reduced Inequality | Prioritizing family farming and rural technological adoption. |
The ministerial segment concluded with an agreement on actions for the 2026–2027 biennium, with a strong emphasis on mobilizing “innovative and scaled-up financing” to eliminate the fragmented approach currently hampering regional food systems.
