The rice industry is set to remain the leading force in the agriculture sector, thanks to a series of investments the government has made over the past five years. President Dr. Irfaan Ali recently provided a comprehensive overview of the foundation supporting this subsector’s exponential growth.
Speaking at the launch of an insurance programme for farmers, Ali stated, “Rice continues to stand tall as Guyana’s leading agricultural export commodity. In 2024, it contributed approximately 17.5% to our agricultural GDP, building on a legacy of growth with renewed strength and purpose.”
Given government efforts, Ali said rice production reached a historic 725,000 metric tonnes in 2024. The target for 2025 has now been raised to over 804,000 metric tonnes.
By 2030, Ali projected rice production would far exceed 1 million metric tonnes. “We are on our way to achieving this as our national yield has increased from 5.9 tonnes per hectare in 2020 to 6.6 tonnes in 2024,” he said. He also highlighted that over three new rice varieties have been launched during this period–the GRDB 16, GRDB 18, and the bio-fortified rice GRDB 17–all yielding between seven and nine tonnes per hectare.
Ali said, “We are doing this because we care about you, the farmers. We want you not only to survive but to succeed. That’s our vision, supported by clear policies, programs, and investments.”
With election season in full swing, Ali urged farmers not to be misled by the false promises of the opposition. Ali pointed out that it was his administration that removed VAT and duties imposed by the APNU+AFC government on machinery, equipment, agrochemicals, fertilizer, and pesticides. He noted that it was his government that allocated $1.85 billion to farmers between 2022 and 2024, with another $2 billion to be distributed in 2025 for fertilizer support.
Ali also reminded that it was the PPP/C government that upgraded infrastructure, including nine drying floors, established a laboratory for value-added soil research, set up a germplasm storage facility and screen house, and introduced drone technology and specialized tractors for broadcasting fertilizer and seeds.
With the rice industry poised for substantial growth, Ali urged farmers to vote for the PPP/C so that the development may continue.
