Guyana gears up to anchor Caribbean food security – Pres. Ali

Oct 17, 2025 News

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(Kaieteur News) – In observance of World Food Day 2025, President Irfaan Ali announced that Guyana is on track to become the regional food hub of the Caribbean, supporting neighbouring countries in reducing food imports and strengthening regional food resilience.

In his message to mark the occasion, which also coincides with the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), President Ali commended the organisation for its decades of leadership in the global fight against hunger.

“For eight decades, the FAO has been at the center of global efforts to end hunger and malnutrition. Through its leadership, technical expertise, and advocacy, it has helped transform agriculture, strengthen rural livelihoods, and guide developing nations toward sustainable food systems,” President Ali said. “From supporting smallholder farmers to advancing climate-smart agriculture, the FAO’s work has been instrumental in ensuring that food security remains a central feature of the international agenda.”

This year’s World Food Day is being celebrated under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.” President Ali said the theme emphasises the urgent need for collaboration among governments, organisations, and communities to build more resilient, equitable, and sustainable food systems.

“The message is unambiguous: the future of food depends on our ability to work hand in hand, to share knowledge and resources, and to innovate in pursuit of a common goal,” he emphasised.

The President acknowledged that while Guyana continues to make strides in food production, it has not been immune to the impacts of global food price inflation. He acknowledged that the high rate of inflation has led to an increase in food prices across Guyana.

“The recently released 2025 edition of The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World reminds us of the challenges that persist,” he noted. “The report highlights that the recent surge in global food price inflation has had a profound impact on food security and nutrition. Rising prices have eroded household purchasing power, especially in low-income countries, pushing more families into food insecurity. The crisis has also made healthy diets less affordable, reinforcing nutritional inequalities as nutrient-rich foods become costlier while ultra-processed alternatives remain cheap and accessible. This reality underscores why global cooperation is essential for building a more just and nourishing food future,” the president said.

Nevertheless, president Ali said Guyana remains determined to ensure that every citizen has access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.

He added that the inflationary pressures have also encouraged the nation to strengthen local production and diversify the country’s agricultural base.

“Guyana is building the foundation for a robust and sustainable food system. Guyana is poised to become the regional food hub of the Caribbean, supporting neighbouring countries in reducing food imports and strengthening regional food resilience,” he affirmed.

The president outlined several key areas where Guyana has made significant progress toward achieving food sustainability:

• Scaling up production of priority commodities while promoting diversification into new crops, livestock, and aquaculture;
• Expanding market access across the Caribbean and internationally to strengthen food trade and supply chains;
• Investing in agricultural infrastructure, including farm-to-market roads, modern storage facilities, upgraded ports, and improved transport links;
• Modernizing agriculture through digital extension services, precision farming, and climate-smart practices;
• Transforming the livestock industry and expanding aquaculture and sustainable fisheries;
• Promoting value addition and trade logistics to retain more value within the national economy; and
• Ensuring inclusion and empowerment by making women and young people central to agricultural development.

President Ali emphasised that the challenge of food sustainability calls for joint effort among all sectors of society.

“No single nation can solve hunger on its own, but together we can shape a world where we can shape a world where nutritious food is accessible to all, and where sustainability guides every choice we make,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha echoed similar sentiments, noting that the global agri-food system is under immense pressure.

“Millions around the world continue to suffer from hunger, while the rise in food waste and malnutrition highlights deep-rooted imbalances that we must urgently correct. Guyana, like all nations, must skillfully navigate the dual challenges of feeding a growing population while addressing the irreversible impacts of the climate crisis and global inequality,” he said.

Minister Mustapha added, “Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, we are reshaping our agricultural sector. This transformation is evident in our record-breaking rice yields, the expansion of new crops such as soya and corn, and the scaling up of climate-smart farming techniques, including hydroponics and shade house cultivation.”

He emphasised that that the government has been making significant investments in modernising drainage and irrigation systems, expanding cold storage capacity, and establishing agro-processing facilities, to which he stated, are empowering communities and enhancing national food security. Mustapha reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to achieving the ‘25 by 2025 +5’ target, aimed at reducing the Caribbean’s food import bill by 25 percent by 2025, with an additional five-year expansion period.

“Guyana remains deeply committed to sustainable, climate-smart agriculture, which is a central pillar of our Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030. This World Food Day, I call on every Guyanese to reflect deeply on what food represents to us. It is not merely a meal on a plate, but a vital force that binds our history, culture, and communities together. The actions we take today-to support our farmers, to protect our land and water resources, and to invest in innovation-will be the most important legacy we leave for the next generation.”

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• Caribbean food security, CARICOM, Food and Agriculture Organisation, World Food Day

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