Ministry of Agriculture - Guyana

Outgoing US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch today paid a farewell courtesy call to Agriculture Minister Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha at his Regent Street office.

During their engagement, the two officials discussed the partnerships that were developed to promote and develop Guyana’s agriculture sector during her tenure as Ambassador as well as the steps taken to address and resolve several sectoral issues.

Minister Mustapha thanked the outgoing United States official for the work that was done to foster closer relations between Guyana and the United States and facilitate United States Private Sector involvement in Guyana. He also thanked her for the role she played in assisting with restoring democracy following the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Ambassador Lynch also thanked Minister Mustapha and the Government of Guyana for their support in dealing with critical issues especially as it relates to agricultural development in Guyana and CARICOM.

Extension officers from Regions Three, Four, and Five are currently participating in an agricultural extension restructuring in-service training exercise at the Guyana School of Agriculture’s Mon Repos campus.

The purpose of the exercise is to ensure that the ministry’s extension staff are capable of dealing with a wide range of agriculture-related issues irrespective of the agency they are attached to.

During the opening of today’s session, Agriculture Minister Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha said dedication is the key to ensuring all that is thought during the sessions is effectively applied when engaging farmers and performing extension services.

He noted, too, that Guyana is playing the leading role as it relates to agriculture and food security in CARICOM, and, as such, Guyana’s agriculture sector has to be robust and resilient.

Over the next three days, extension officers will be exposed to a series of training programmes designed to equip them with the necessary knowledge to efficiently execute their jobs. Some of the courses that will be offered include crop cultivation, livestock husbandry, and aquaculture.

Earlier this year, Minister Mustapha launched the country-wide exercise in Georgetown and said that several breakout sessions will be held as the government moves forward its developmental plans for the sector.

Amerindian communities receive agri. inputs to advance food production - The Big Smith News Watch Ten Amerindian communities received various agricultural implements to ramp up food production. According to a report from the Department of Public Information, the communities are; White Water, One Mile, Three Brothers, and Fitzburg in Region One; Imbaimadai, Agatash, and Chinowieng in Region Seven...

Region Six receive black giant chicks to boost production Some 120 residents from several communities in Region Six each received 20 black giant chickens to help them become self-sufficient, and increase their poultry output. The distribution exercise wa…

10 Amerindian communities receive much-needed agri. inputs to advance food production In its efforts for Amerindian communities to be sustainable while advancing their agricultural food systems, ten Amerindian communities received various agricultural implements to ramp up food prod…

Biofortified rice harvested in Region Six to bring relief to farmers While increasing food production in the agriculture sector is in line with plans to be sustainable and resilient, the bio-fortified rice variety with nutritionally enhanced Zinc, which is anticipat…

Biofortified rice harvested in Region Six to bring relief to farmers

Clean-up campaign will help to maintain a clean environment, boost tourism – Min. Mustapha Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha along with officials of the ministry, representatives of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), and residents participated in a massive clean-up acti…

As part of President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali's Men on Mission (MoM) initiative to assist vulnerable persons, a single mother of three, Sadna Rambarran of Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder is another beneficiary to receive a 2 bedroom home.

The home was built and fully furnished at a cost of close to $8 million by contractor Devanand Sawh of D Sawh Mechanical Workshop.

During the handing-over ceremony on Saturday, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha highlighted that the government will continue to enhance the livelihoods of Guyanese.

Under this programme, eight houses have been constructed in the region.

The Minister was joined by Regional Chairman, David Armogan, other officials of the ministry of agriculture, and residents.

Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, M.P., Minister of Agriculture and team of technical officers from the Ministry of Agriculture and Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) along with Regional Officials from Region 6 today witnessed the harvesting of the Bio-Fertified variety of Rice grown by the GRDB at a farmer's plot at Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder. Representatives from CARICOM and IICA were also a part of the simple but very important activity.

This is the very first time something of this nature is happening in Guyana and this too will bring tremendous benefits to our farmers as well as those who consume this Rice which is fortified with Zinc. It is yet another undertaking and accomplishment of the Government led by His Excellency, Dr. Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana.

Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, M.P., Minister of Agriculture and team of technical officers from the Ministry of Agriculture along with Regional Officials from Region 6 today met with residents, farmers and GuySuCo workers and highlighted the ongoing works within the Ministry of Agriculture with specific focus on the Livestock department. Minister also handed over a number of Black Giant Chicks to over one hundred (100) livestock farmers as a part of the national food security drive. Farmers and residents welcomed this initiative and commended the Minister for his unwavering support. This is in line with His Excellency, Dr. Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana, drive for food security, resilience, improved livlihood and the 25 by 2025 initiative.

Minister Mustapha also used the opportunity to meet with the entire NDIA and discussed the importance of managing the entire water system in the Region during this dry period.

Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, Minister of Agriculture, and team from the Ministry of Agriculture along with officials and residents from Region 5 taking part in the National Clean Up Exercise today at the Novar/Dundee Area, Region 5.

Also, Minister Mustapha joined with the Regional Chairman and Regional Vice Chairman, Mr. David Armogan and Mr. Zamal Hussain and their team from Region 6 in a tree planting exercise where flowering plants were planted along the Berbice Bridge Road entrance, Palmyra. This is in an effort to beautify the area. Minister Mustapha used this opportunity to encourage citizens to keep their surroundings clean and avoid dumping garbage along our roadways. He also echoed the call for a clean Guyana since our country is developing at a rapid pace and tourism is also seeing significant growth in these areas.

Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, Minister of Agriculture handing over water pumps, brush cutters, mist blowers, garden hoses, etc to the following villages:
Imbamadai, Region 7
Semonie and Karasabai Region 9
Agatash, Region 7
1 Mile, Three Brothers, White Water and Fitzburg, Region 1,
Chinowieng, Region 7

Also, as part of the HESAD program under the Ministry of Agriculture, the Minister presented a total of two million dollars ($2M) to Agatash Village for the construction of the village office.

This intervention will help them tremendously to improve their livelihood and economic activities as it relates to farming and general agriculture.

This is a commitment made by His Excellency, Dr. Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana.

Happy Amerindian Heritage Month

Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, M.P., Minister of Agriculture and his entire team from the Ministry of Agriculture today presented the agriculture plans for hinterland agricultural development projects. The Minister would have outlined all the success stories over the years (from 2020 to present) in the respective hinterland regions and pointed out the overall investments by the Government of Guyana. A total of $2.2 Billion was spent from 2020 to 2022 and another $1.3 Billion in 2023.

Minister Mustapha committed the support of all the agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture to the NTC and informed all the representatives that the agencies will continue work closely to ensure that they increase production and productivity.

Many representative from the NTC who spoke congratulated the Minister and his team for the unwavering efforts to promote and drive agriculture in their respective villages.

Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, M.P., Minister of Agriculture, Regional Officals, Region 5 and Technical Team from the Ministry of Agriculture meeting with farmers (Cash Crops, Livestock and Rice) at Bushlot, West Coast Berbice.

Minister Mustapha outlined the agri development policies of the government and explained the overall investment within the agriculture sector from 2020 to 2023 as well as future plans. The farmers also raised concerns relating to Drainage and Irrigation, MMA/ADA, Rice and cattle development. Minister Mustapha committed to working with the farmers in their respective categories and assured that the agencies within the Ministry will continue to work with them and provide the technical support necessary to improve their operations.

Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, M.P., Minister of Agriculture, Regional Officals, Region 5 and Technical Team from the Ministry of Agriculture meeting with farmers (Cash Crops, Livestock and Rice) at Cotton Tree, # 2 Village, West Coast Berbice.

Minister Mustapha outlined the agri development policies of the government and explained the overall investment within the agriculture sector from 2020 to 2023 as well as future plans. The farmers also raised concerns about formation and regularization of their farming groups. The Minister committed to sending a technical team during the coming week to meet with all the farming groups within the area and to register them after which they will be receiving small agri implements, tools, seeds, fertiliser etc.

Public Notice

High demand for Guyana’s rice on int’l market – Min. Mustapha – Guyana expected to surpass target for rice production this year There is a high demand for Guyana’s rice on the international market due to the shortage of the commodity globally. During th…

Today Agriculture Minister, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha met with farmers and residents from Salem and other surrounding communities on the West Bank of Essequibo to discuss issues faced within the farming communities.

During the meeting, Minister Mustapha said that several works that were requested by farmers have been completed and that additional works are planned to improve drainage and irrigation as well as upgrade critical D&I structures in the area.

Farmers also requested assistance with upgrading several dams that are used to access their farms. Minister Mustapha told the farmers that through the NDIA, a programme will be developed to guide the requested upgrades according to priority.

Minister Mustapha was accompanied by several heads of departments from the Ministry and other senior regional officials.

Farmers and residents from Melanie and other surrounding communities along the East Coast of Demerara will soon benefit from improved drainage as works have commenced to desilt several main canals in the area.

Agriculture Minister, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha met with residents from Melanie and other surrounding areas to discuss the scope of the scheduled drainage works.

Prior to today’s visit, Vice President, Hon. Bharrat Jagdeo had visited the community to meet with residents to discuss some of the government’s developmental plans for both the residential and farming communities along the East Coast corridor.

During the meeting with the Vice President, several residents raised concerns about the lack of proper drainage and sought the government’s urgent intervention to have the issue resolved.

While some farmers have occupied the reserve, Minister Mustapha explained that some access will have to be given to allow the excavator to traverse the dam in order to properly desilt the canals.
Prior to Monday’s visit, engineers from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority visited the area to assess the communities’ drainage networks.

Residents also welcomed the health benefits that are to be derived from the project, noting that the area is infested with mosquitos.

In case you missed it!

Have a look at the official launch of this year's Agri-Investment Forum and Expo.

The event will be held from October 20- 22, 2023 in Georgetown Guyana under the theme "Accelerating Investment in Vision 25 by 2025".

H.E. Dr Irfaan Ali Guyana Live Stream

On Saturday (August 19, 2023) Agriculture Minister Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha commissioned a cutter head dredge at Little Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara.

The dredge, a first of its kind for the ministry, was procured by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) for $497,464,600 and will be used to desilt outfall channels and improve drainage systems across the country, thus improving the drainage capacity in several residential and farming communities.

Minister Mustapha, in his address, said that the newly commissioned piece of equipment was a testament to the government’s commitment to delivering quality services through state-of-the-art equipment to residents and farmers across the country.

Chairman of the NDIA, Lionel Wordsworth, noted that although the idea of acquiring a cutter head dredge was conceptualized some time back, it was only in 2021 that the government approved funds for it to be procured.

The dredge is outfitted with a global positioning system (GPS), life-saving and fire-protection equipment, propulsion and steering systems, and operating equipment which includes two excavators, a cutter head and engine, a generator, living quarters for nine operators, among other things.

In May 2021, the NDIA signed a contract with S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies for the supply of the cutter head dredge. At the time, Minister Mustapha said the cutter head dredge formed part of a list of products and services that were categorized as critical.

This year 28 students who wrote the CSEC Examination participated in a Work Study Programme at the Ministry of Agriculture.

Here are photos from today's closing ceremony.

On Friday, the Government of Guyana launch the third Regional Agri-Investment Forum and Expo at the Arthur Chung Conference Center at Liliendaal.

This year's expo is being held under the theme 'Accelerating Investment in Vision 25 by 2025' and is expected to attract a number of investors and senior officials from around the region.

While delivering the feature address at the launch, Prime Minister Hon. Brig. (R’td) Mark Phillips spoke about the advances made in the sector over the last three years. He said that the hosting of the third Agri-Investment Forum and Expo speaks to the commitment to deepening the process of transforming the agri-food system through innovation and investment.

Agriculture Minister, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha in his address said the Agri Investment Forum builds upon the foundation of our "25 by 2025" initiative, a visionary goal that aims to reduce our food import bill of USD 6 Billion, by a resounding 25% by the year 2025.

He added that it is expected this year’s expo will allow participants to explore innovative financing models, harness cutting-edge technologies, and amplify the impact of our collective efforts, propelling the region toward a future filled with possibilities.

The Agri-Investment Forum and Expo will be held from October 20 –22, 2023.

Gov’t delivers on promise to Linden agro-processors
$23.6M facility commissioned at Watooka

Less than two weeks after commissioning an agro-processing facility in Karaudarnau Village in Region Nine, Agriculture Minister Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, on Wednesday, commissioned a similar facility in Watooka, Linden (Region 10).

The Ministry of Agriculture, through the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (New GMC), expended some $23.6 million to construct and outfit the facility providing much-needed agro-processing services to approximately 600 persons in and around the region.
Minister Mustapha, in his address at the commissioning, noted that the government has made large sums of money available to fund initiatives to develop Guyana’s agro-processing sector.

He said that while farmers are encouraged to produce more, value-added production will enable farmers and producers to maximize profits and extend the shellfire of their commodities.

The facility has the capacity to produce more than 4,300 liters of sauces and seasonings monthly and is equipped with an array of machinery such as mixers, blenders, stoves, stainless steel containers, and chillers. It also can operate on a 24-hour base offering mechanized processes to allow for lower operational expenses.

Approximately 60 farmers from Albion and other surrounding communities on the Corentyne Coast received farming tools and implements as part of the government’s efforts to improve the sector.

Agriculture Minister, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha traveled to the region today to host several meetings and distributed the items to the farmers.

The items were valued at approximately $1,000,000 and included water pumps, spray cans, seeds, and other small farming tools.

While addressing the gathering, Minister Mustapha said that agriculture remains one of the most important sectors in the country as it contributes to food and nutrition security. As such, the minister said that the government will continue to assist farmers with inputs to develop their production and the sector as a whole..