Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, has expressed optimism about the accelerated growth of the agriculture sector in Guyana in the upcoming year.
Welcoming the budgetary allocations for the sector, Minister Mustapha highlighted the significant progress made in 2023, with agriculture estimated to have expanded by 7 percent.
Despite challenges such as the impact of El Niño, various segments of the agriculture sector exhibited remarkable growth in 2023.
Sugar production saw a notable increase of 28%, while rice production grew by 7%.
Other crops experienced a 4.1% expansion, livestock production increased by 12.7%, and the fishing industry and aquaculture recorded growth rates of 37.8% and 75%, respectively.
The 2024 budget allocates $97.6 billion to the agriculture sector, indicating a commitment to fostering its continued development.
Minister Mustapha emphasized his pleasure in leading a sector poised for accelerated growth and highlighted the importance of the budget in supporting this trajectory.
The Ministry of Agriculture’s budgetary allocation is particularly focused on the transformation of Guyana’s Drainage and Irrigation infrastructure, aligning with the 25 by 2025 agenda.
This initiative is crucial for enhancing the efficiency and resilience of the country’s agricultural systems.
Moreover, Minister Mustapha shared his perspective on the 2024 budget, noting that it marks a significant milestone by surpassing the 1 trillion mark.
He emphasized the positive impact this budget would have, including providing more disposable income for the citizens of Guyana.
The agriculture sector’s growth is expected to contribute to the overall economic development of the country, and the budget reflects a substantial increase over the previous year, demonstrating the government’s commitment to advancing this vital sector.