By Saskia Warrick | January 7, 2025
Despite recent setbacks, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha remains confident that Guyana and the Caribbean can still meet their goal of reducing food imports by 25% by the end of 2025.
Speaking at his year-end press conference, Minister Mustapha acknowledged the region’s progress, citing a 12% reduction in food imports following the most recent Heads of Government meeting.
However, the goal was temporarily impacted by Hurricane Beryl, which caused significant damage to agricultural production in several Caribbean countries.
Despite these setbacks, Minister Mustapha emphasized the ongoing diversification of the agricultural sector and the collaborative efforts within the region to assist affected nations.
He expressed optimism that these strategies, along with a comprehensive action plan developed by a Ministerial taskforce, would allow the region to continue its progress and achieve its food security targets.
The taskforce’s efforts focus on rebuilding and strengthening the region’s agricultural capabilities in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl’s devastation.
Minister Mustapha’s statements reflect a strong commitment to enhancing food security across the Caribbean, ensuring a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector.