Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, has announced a series of interventions aimed at improving drainage and irrigation, strengthening farm infrastructure, and boosting agricultural production in Big Biaboo and surrounding communities in Region Five.
During a meeting with farmers from the area, Minister Mustapha disclosed that the government will undertake the construction of an embankment, rehabilitate the community’s farm-to-market road, and provide machinery support to assist cash crop farmers with raising their planting beds to mitigate flooding.
While responding to issues raised in relation to flooding, Minister Mustapha highlighted the government’s ongoing investment of approximately $25 billion in the construction of high-level drainage canals and related infrastructure across Regions Three, Five, and Six. He explained that these major investments are intended to strengthen the country’s drainage capacity and significantly reduce the impact of flooding.
He told farmers that once the structures are completed, approximately 55,000 acres of land will be available in Region Five for agricultural development.
The Minister also reflected on the impacts of the 2021 flood while noting that the government recognizes the need for continued investments to enhance infrastructure in order to safeguard the agriculture sector.
“We recognize that the industry needs the necessary impetus to move forward. In 2021, the agriculture sector was devastated by flooding, and we had to rebuild. We were able to do that because we have a farmer-friendly policy,” Minister Mustapha said.
Responding to concerns raised by farmers about flooding in their communities, Minister Mustapha announced that the government is prepared to undertake the construction of an embankment to provide additional protection for agricultural lands. He, however, stressed the importance of securing the cooperation and support of all farmers who would be affected by the proposed works.
He explained that once the necessary consultations are completed and farmers agree to the intervention, the Ministry will proceed with the design of the embankment, following which the project will be advertised for tender.
Minister Mustapha also announced that the government will provide machinery to assist cash crop farmers with improving their farm infrastructure, particularly through the raising of planting beds to minimize the impact of flooding.
Under the proposed intervention, each farmer will benefit from three days of machinery support, with the equipment operating for nine hours daily. The Minister disclosed that the intervention represents an estimated government investment of $500,000 per farmer.
To facilitate the works, three machines will be deployed to the area within one week, while a committee comprising farmers, along with regional and NDIA officials, was established during the meeting to assist with coordinating and guiding the exercise, ensuring that the assistance is provided in an organized and equitable manner.
In addition, Minister Mustapha committed to rehabilitating the community’s farm-to-market road, including upgrading the surface with crusher run to improve access to farmlands and facilitate the transportation of agricultural produce.
Speaking on developments in the wider agriculture sector, Minister Mustapha highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to reduce production costs, improve farmers’ profitability, and strengthen the country’s food production capacity. He disclosed that the price of paddy in most regions has increased, with farmers in Essequibo receiving as much as $3,500 per bag.
The Minister also expressed optimism that Guyana could establish its own fertilizer production facility in the new year, noting that such an investment would contribute significantly to reducing input costs and supporting the continued expansion of agricultural production.
Minister Mustapha highlighted the progress being made in the cultivation of corn, soya, onions, and red beans, disclosing that approximately 60 tonnes of corn and soya have already been exported to Barbados, with additional shipments expected as production continues to expand.
The Minister also pointed to the agricultural potential of Kimbia, noting that the government is working closely with farmers in the area to develop red bean production, with the aim of satisfying the country’s domestic requirements. Minister Mustapha also revealed that approximately 400 acres of onion are currently under cultivation as the government eyes self-sufficiency in onion production by the end of the first quarter of 2027.
