-by Celestine Chacon
The Guyana School of Agriculture has recorded a major milestone with the graduation of 102 students from the Class of 2026 – its largest graduating cohort in five years.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha reiterated the government’s commitment to modernising the agricultural sector while equipping young professionals with the skills needed to strengthen food security nationally and across the region.
“Today were not simply celebrating the completion of a course of study, we are celebrating the preparation of a new generation of agricultural professionals who will help determine the future of food production, food security and agricultural development in Guyana and across the Caribbean,” he said.
The Minister emphasized that the agricultural sector is evolving rapidly and agricultural education must respond to the evolving needs of society, and the economy.
“The knowledge you have gained must be continually developed and applied, or you’ll remain stagnant. You must be willing to learn new techniques, explore new technologies, question old practices, where better alternatives exist, and identify solutions to the problem affecting farmers and producers,” he explained.
Consequently, graduates must be equipped with practical skills, innovative thinking and the ability to apply knowledge gained to real-world challenges.
The Class of 2026 comprises 65 females and 37 males who completed studies across six programmes offered at the school’s Mon Repos and Essequibo campuses.
Of the 102 graduates, 66 achieved either Credit or Distinction, while ten students who were referred in 2025 successfully completed their programmes this year.
Among those recognised for outstanding academic performance was Analesia D’Aguiar, who received the Chairman’s Prize for the best graduating student in the programmes offered at the Essequibo Campus.
Marlon O’Donoghue received the Chief Executive Officer’s Prize for the best graduating student in the two-year programmes at the Mon Repos Campus.
