Guyana on its way of reducing food imports, records growth in agricultural sector

Georgetown, Guyana: Guyana has shown exponential growth in its agriculture sector over the years, with increased yields in its main crops such as rice and sugar, as well as poultry production.

This increase has been observed due to the huge sum invested in research with a vision to ensure better quality crops are reaped, and new crops are diversified into the agriculture industry.

The Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha shared his views with the farmers of the Pomeroon River in region and stated that the increase in yield is not from the addition of planting lands but from the proper practice of crop husbandry. Crop husbandry is the act of cultivating and managing crops which is practiced by selecting suitable soils for different types of crops and preparing the soil for optimal growth.

As per the data, in 2022, 610,000 tonnes of rice was produced, while there was a production of 653,000 tonnes in 2023. This year, the agriculture department has set a target of 710,000 tonnes. Along with that, the year 2023 also witnessed a surge in production of sugar of almost 60%.

The Minister of Agriculture, Mustapha also noted that in all the areas they have been conducting research to increase the yield. He asserted that they haven’t increased the acres of land for rice and are still planting between 200,000 to 220,000 acres of land.

He remarked that they used to produce between 550,000 tonnes to 600,000 tonnes of rice on the same measure of land and now are aiming to produce more. He added that they used to get 5 tonnes per hectare, but now, the country is receiving 6.7 tonnes per hectare by utilizing the same land.

He noted that the increase they have witnessed is due to the Rice Research Station in Burma, Mahaicony, Region Five, which is generating a better variety of rice. The Minister also disclosed about the 11% increase in livestock production and noted that with the new abattoir being built at Onverwag in Region Five, it is the need to ramp up the cattle and poultry activities countrywide.

“We have to get animals to slaughter there, if we are building the abattoir and that is why we are resuscitating the cattle industry. We have intensified the Artificial Insemination Programme. And for the first time in our country, we have started the Embryo Transplant Programme,” noted Zulfikar Mustapha.

Notably, Guyana also signed a contract with a Brazilian company to perform the embryo transplant in Guyana which consist of sure pregnancy within cattle to produce high-breeding animals. The last year, they witnessed 50 transplants and it is being expected that another 250 will be performed between 2024-25.

The agriculture minister also asserted that 63 breeding bulls were brought into the country from Texas last year to assist farmers in getting better breeds within their cattle farms. He also stated that they started its Breeders Programme with a vision to produce its hatching eggs and in the last year around 27,000 eggs were produced.

He also mentioned that these investments would not only contribute to the food security bill and reduce 25 per cent by 2025 but also also aid in developing every other sector in the country.

He stated that as long as they can save these funds from importation and produce their crops and livestock right in their country, then those monies can be utilized in other areas and improve the other sectors.