By: Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News |
Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha on Tuesday highlighted the continued strong performance of Guyana’s agriculture sector, outlining key achievements and ongoing investments during what he described as a year-end review of the sector.
According to Minister Mustapha, agriculture has continued to perform exceptionally well despite the rapid expansion of Guyana’s oil and gas industry. He expressed confidence in the sector’s future, noting that overall agricultural production is projected to grow by at least nine percent by the end of 2025.
The Minister reported notable increases in the production of rice, coconuts, soybeans, fruits, and vegetables, underscoring the sector’s importance to national development and economic diversification.
Mustapha emphasized that the Ministry of Agriculture remains firmly focused on food security, stressing that farmers play a critical role as Guyana works to reduce its dependence on oil and gas and strengthen other productive sectors of the economy.
One of the most significant highlights was the performance of the rice industry. Rice production has surged to 810,299 metric tonnes, the highest level ever recorded in Guyana’s history. This was accompanied by a record yield of 6.6 metric tonnes per hectare, also the highest on record for the local rice industry.
The Agriculture Minister credited ongoing research and technological advancements for the development of high-yielding rice varieties, which have significantly boosted productivity across the sector.
Looking ahead, Mustapha noted that continued growth in agriculture will depend heavily on further technological innovation. He explained that advances in technology are key to increasing productivity, reducing production costs, improving food quality, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sector.
