as Investment and Confidence Rise – Pres. Ali

-by Celestine Chacon

Guyana’s agriculture sector has recorded an average annual growth of 10 percent since 2022, driven by government investments, supportive policies and the continued efforts of farmers.

President Irfaan Ali highlighted the sector’s growth, while addressing a Farmers’ Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Liliendaal earlier today.

President Ali cited the International Monetary Fund’s 2026 Assessment Report, which he said speaks to Guyana’s economic resilience, diversification and food security.

He said the report also highlighted agriculture’s contribution of six per cent of Gross Domestic Product and one-fifth of non-oil GDP.

“These investments did not happen by accident. These investments are following the lead of government, the policies that we’re implementing, the investment that we’re making in infrastructure. Because farmers today are confident that they have a government that will back them, a government that will support them, a government that believes in them,” he said.

The president reflected on conditions in 2020, noting that farmers and producers were reducing investments, while some operators were exiting key agricultural sectors, including rice and poultry.

He said the government has since worked to rebuild confidence and boost production, encouraging private-sector investors to increase their investments.

“Today, as we speak here, one of the private investors in poultry is about to commission to start up a large processing plant, a new poultry processing plant that will triple their capacity in terms of processing here in Guyana this morning that is happening,” he said.
President Ali attributed the sector’s expansion to investments in drainage and irrigation, crop diversification, agricultural technology, fertilizer production, subsidies for farmers, and VAT exemptions for agriculture.

The Inaugural Farmers conference forms part of the Agriculture month celebrations being held under the theme “ Nourish, Build, Grow: “Innovate, Nourish, Grow: Building a Strong and Sustainable Guyana”