Guyana has placed agriculture and food security at the centre of its national development agenda, with increased investments aimed at strengthening domestic food production, reducing reliance on imports and building resilience against global challenges.
This is according to Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, who was speaking at the observance of World Food Day at Mainstay/Wayaka Village in Region Two.
The event, held under the theme “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow”, brought together a wide cross-section of stakeholders from the agriculture sector to highlight the importance of innovation, sustainable food production and food security.
Minister Mustapha said Mainstay/Wayaka was a fitting location for the observance, given the community’s longstanding reliance on agriculture, fishing, traditional knowledge and the responsible use of natural resources to sustain livelihoods across generations.
He stressed that food security must never be taken for granted, noting that countries worldwide continue to grapple with the effects of climate change, disruptions to global supply chains, rising production costs, conflicts and uncertainty in international markets.
“These challenges reinforce the importance of strengthening our ability to produce food, protect our agricultural system and ensure that our people have reliable access to nutrition,” he said.
According to the minister, this year’s theme calls for a shift beyond traditional approaches to food production and encourages greater innovation, stronger partnerships, investment in human resources and the development of systems capable of meeting the needs of future generations.
“It causes us to embrace innovation, strengthen partnerships, develop human resources and create systems capable of meeting the needs of future generations. And importantly, it reminds us that the decisions we make today will determine the opportunities available to our children and grandchildren tomorrow,” he stated.
He pointed to the significant increase in budgetary allocations for agriculture, which he said had risen from $18.5 billion five years ago to $113.5 billion in the current allocation.
According to the minister, these investments are contributing to a major transformation of the country’s food system.
Minister Mustapha further noted that Guyana has gained international recognition for its food security efforts, describing the country’s progress in feeding its population as a significant achievement.
“We must also become more resilient, more self-sufficient and better positioned to contribute to regional food security,” he said, emphasising the need for Guyana to continue expanding domestic production while pursuing greater self-sufficiency in key food commodities.
As part of these efforts, Mustapha noted that Guyana has successfully ventured into the cultivation of corn and soya, while local onion production is expected to meet domestic demand by the end of the year, eliminating the need for imports of the commodity, provided production targets are achieved.
“If you look at drainage and irrigation, farm-to-market roads, agricultural research, mechanisation, modern production systems, storage, processing and marketing infrastructure, all those areas, we are seeing massive investments being made,” he said.
The agriculture minister noted that agriculture extends beyond crop cultivation, noting that the sector plays a critical role in creating employment, supporting rural communities and providing opportunities for entrepreneurship.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Region Two, Devin Mohan underscored the importance of agriculture to the region’s economy, pointing to its established rice and cash-crop industries, coconut production and the vast agricultural potential of the Pomeroon.
He said these activities provide employment, support local businesses, sustain families and make a significant contribution to feeding the nation.
Mohan added that the Regional Democratic Council remains committed to working alongside technical agencies and farming communities to ensure national agricultural policies deliver tangible benefits to residents.
He also highlighted the need to continue improving agricultural infrastructure, strengthening market access, encouraging young people to enter the sector, embracing innovation and exploring opportunities in agro-processing and agricultural tourism.
The World Food Day observance also featured an exhibition of locally produced items and agricultural products, showcasing the diversity and potential of Guyana’s agriculture sector.
Below are some scenes from World Food Day observance:
