The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) on Friday hosted its second annual Honey Fest at its Mon Repos main office under the theme “Buzz Forward – Sweet Innovations for a Safe and Sustainable Future.”
The event forms part of the Government of Guyana’s ongoing efforts to promote a sustainable and resilient apiculture industry as a key pillar of the country’s expanding agri-food systems.
Delivering the feature address, Agriculture Minister, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, said that the theme perfectly captures the spirit of transformation that continues to define Guyana’s agriculture sector.
“Beekeeping is more than just collecting honey. It is a vital part of our ecosystem. Honeybees are silent heroes, contributing exponentially to the pollination of the crops that form the very foundation of our national food security,”
Minister Mustapha noted.
The Minister further emphasized that the government remains committed to supporting the apiculture subsector through targeted investments and policy interventions aimed at enhancing productivity, safety, and market access.
“Over the past few years, the Government of Guyana has made significant investments — including $150 million in 2024 — to advance our agri-food systems and diversify production within the apiculture sub-sector. We are already seeing results, with honey production increasing from 2,128 gallons in 2023 to 27,601 gallons at the end of 2024, and in 2025 we will surpass 30,000 gallons. The industry is actively transitioning from individual hives to standardized commercial operations. By expanding honey production to over 5,000 hives, Guyana aims to achieve self-sufficiency and become a regional honey exporter by 2030,” Minister Mustapha said.
The Honey Fest showcased the creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship of local beekeepers and agro-processors, reflecting the Ministry’s continued drive to strengthen safe, sustainable, and value-added agricultural industries across Guyana.
