The government has injected more than $2.76 billion into the local rice industry, providing direct financial assistance to 5,106 rice farmers across the country as part of its First Crop 2026 Support Programme.
During an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Tuesday, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha described the initiative as another demonstration of the government’s commitment to safeguarding the sector during a period of lower global rice prices.
“To date, we have paid out to 5,106 farmers, a total of $2,763,249,165. That gives us a total acreage of 234,919.96 acres that were cultivated for the first crop,” Minister Mustapha said.
The financial support was provided to farmers based on acreage cultivated, with those farming 50 acres or less receiving $15,000 per acre, while farmers cultivating more than 50 acres received $10,000 per acre.
The programme benefited farmers in every major rice producing region.
In Region Two, 1,301 farmers cultivating 31,443.08 acres received $403,149,360.
A total of 560 farmers in Region Three cultivated 15,636.99 acres and received $201,696,055.
In Region Four, 374 farmers cultivating 9,006 acres benefited from $113,143,500.
The largest allocation was made in Region Five, where 1,387 farmers cultivating 104,519.12 acres received $1,182,326,700.
Meanwhile, 1,484 farmers in Region Six cultivated 74,314.77 acres and received $862,933,550.
Minister Mustapha said the cash grant forms part of a broader package of measures introduced by the government to shield farmers from the impact of depressed international rice prices while ensuring the industry’s continued growth.
“The price of paddy right now and the price of rice have been influenced by the world market. The price is a bit low internationally, and over the last two to three years we have been subsidising the rice industry heavily,” he explained.
Beyond the direct financial support, the government has reduced land rental and drainage and irrigation charges, removed taxes on agricultural chemicals and machinery, and is working to make fertiliser and seed paddy more affordable.
The minister also pointed to transformative investments that will further reduce production costs, including the construction of Guyana’s fertiliser plant and the expansion of agricultural lands through new drainage and irrigation infrastructure.
He revealed that approximately 55,000 acres will become available in Region Five and 35,000 acres in Region Six, with additional lands expected to be opened in Region Three, giving farmers greater opportunities to expand production and diversify into high value crops and aquaculture.
Pointing to the sector’s continued growth, Minister Mustapha noted that Guyana’s rice production has increased from approximately 550,000 tonnes in 2020 to 825,000 tonnes in 2025, with production expected to reach about 827,000 tonnes this year.
The ministry is also actively pursuing new export opportunities, including expanding markets in Mexico and CARICOM, to secure better prices for farmers and reduce reliance on government support.
“The rice industry is very resilient right now. It is strong and robust. What we are looking at now is to find more lucrative markets. If we can secure those markets, the industry will become even stronger and farmers will depend less on government subsidies,” Minister Mustapha said. (Department of Public Information)
