-at Mon Repos, Region 4

-by David Clarke

Guyana continues to strengthen its position as the Caribbean’s agricultural powerhouse with the commissioning of a new climate-smart poultry project.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha says the investment is part of a broader strategy to increase food production, improve resilience and drive regional food security.

The $1 billion Tunnel Ventilated Poultry Pens Project includes five tunnel-ventilated facilities across Regions Three, Four and Five, designed to improve productivity, strengthen biosecurity and reduce the impact of extreme weather on poultry production.

Minister Mustapha says with these investments, Guyana remains optimistic that CARICOM’s food security targets will be achieved by 2030.

“Today we are no longer trying to catch up, we are leading the CARICOM 25 by 2025+5 Initiative, today Guyana is leading that charge driving down the region food import bill and building a stronger more self-resilient Caribbean,” he said.

With poultry production more than doubling in just five years, the government anticipates production will surpass a record 99,000 tons this year.

“Raising from 43,736 tons in 2020 to 91,382 tons in 2025, an increase of 108.9 per cent. Ladies and gentlemen, Production is expected to reach aprox. 99,310 tons in 2026,” the minister said.

Overall – Guyana’s agriculture sector continues to record strong growth.

Aside from poultry, Rice production is also on track to reach 835,000 tons this year, while young entrepreneurs are producing an increasing share of the high-value crops once imported for the hospitality industry. The Ministry’s programmes continue to target 30 per cent youth and 35 per cent female participation with the hope of also ensuring that by 2030, at least 50 percent of newly established agribusinesses are led by women