By Saskia Warrick
Guyana continues to play a pivotal role in supporting its Caribbean Community (CARICOM) partners in advancing agricultural projects as the region works towards the 25 by 2025 food security goal.
Despite challenges, such as those posed by Hurricane Beryl, significant progress has been made in various initiatives.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha provided an update on the status of key projects in Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.
In Trinidad and Tobago, efforts to revitalize the rice industry have shown promising results.
With Guyana’s provision of seedlings and technical assistance, rice production has surged from 100 to 1,000 acres, with 340 tonnes of rice already harvested.
The initiative aims to further increase yields and bolster the sector.
In Barbados, the brackish water shrimp project and the aquaculture industry are also advancing.
The support provided includes essential technical guidance, helping to enhance production and expand involvement in the sector.
The Shade House Programme, known for its success in producing high-value crops, has led to requests for similar projects in Barbados, Grenada, and Trinidad and Tobago.
With just over a year remaining to achieve the 25 by 2025 target, regional collaboration remains crucial.
The ongoing efforts are focused on building a resilient agricultural sector and moving towards greater regional self-sufficiency in food production.