Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, delivered the feature address at the Rice-Duck Integrated Farming initiative programme at the Guyana Rice Development Board’s (GRDB) Rice Research Station.
The initiative, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Canada, forms part of ongoing efforts to promote innovative and sustainable agricultural practices aimed at reducing production costs, improving productivity, and creating additional income-generating opportunities for rice farmers.
During his address, Minister Mustapha explained that the initiative represents another important step in the Government’s efforts to modernise Guyana’s rice industry and strengthen farmers’ livelihoods. He noted that under the leadership of President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the Government remains committed to introducing innovative, cost-effective farming practices and providing the necessary support to help rice farmers sustain their operations and remain competitive, particularly at a time when unfavourable global rice prices continue to present challenges for producers.
The Minister explained that rice-duck integrated farming offers farmers an opportunity to diversify their income while maximising the productive use of their existing farmlands. He noted that, for many years, rice farmers have depended primarily on paddy production for their livelihoods. However, through this initiative, farmers can explore new opportunities to generate additional revenue from duck production alongside their traditional rice cultivation, effectively creating two potential sources of income from the same acreage.
Minister Mustapha further explained that, under properly managed conditions, ducks can play an important role in controlling certain insects and weeds in rice fields, while their manure contributes nutrients to the growing environment. This integrated approach, he said, has the potential to reduce dependence on certain agricultural inputs, lower production costs, and improve the overall profitability of farming operations, while promoting more environmentally sustainable rice cultivation.
He emphasised that the programme demonstrates how innovation, agricultural research, and sound government policies can work together to address existing challenges within the agriculture sector while creating new economic opportunities for farmers.
Minister Mustapha also welcomed the support of the FAO and the Government of Canada, noting the importance of partnerships in advancing agricultural development and introducing modern farming techniques that can benefit local producers.
