APNU’s Norton Slams Government Over Agri Failures, Promises 20-Point Plan to Revamp Sector if Elected
Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News
With 28 out of his 33 years in public life dedicated to politics, PNCR leader and APNU presidential candidate Aubrey Norton is leveling intense criticism at the current administration for what he deems a catastrophic failure to revitalize Guyana’s agriculture sector, despite having access to four consecutive oil-rich national budgets.
“They have failed where it matters most,” Norton declared, citing the government’s inability to:
- Reduce food poverty and inflation,
- Expand food quality and variety, and
- Achieve national food security.
If elected on September 1, Norton says a future APNU-led government will prioritize food production and security, positioning agriculture as a key driver in the non-oil economy. The APNU’s 20-point agriculture agenda includes:
- Making farming a lucrative business for youth, current farmers, and investors
- Regional self-sufficiency in food production
- Upgrading drainage and irrigation systems to address water management and climate resilience
- Establishing a state-owned development bank to increase access to affordable farm credit
- Expanding small business support
The plan also calls for:
- Crop diversification based on market research and adaptability
- Incentives for cultivating nutritious crops like fruits, beans, and vegetables
- Promoting agro-processing and value-added production through tax breaks, promotions, and a network of community-based, state-owned processing centers
Norton underscored the importance of nutrition, job creation, and rural revitalization, noting that a robust agriculture sector is key to sustainable national development beyond oil revenues.
