Agri. Sector gets $113.2B

Jan 27, 2026 News

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…D&I, sugar and fisheries take largest chunk of allocation

By Anasa Williams

(Kaieteur News) – The government has budgeted $113.2 billion dollars for the agriculture sector with $81.9billion allocated to the drainage and irrigation department and $13.4 billion earmarked for the sugar sector.

The 2026 budgetary allocation for the sugar sector represents a $100 million increase from 2025. In his presentation, Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh said that the government will continue to restore the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to financial viability and long-term sustainability.

“In the last five years, we reopened the Rose Hall Estate, and upgraded the field and factory infrastructure at Albion, Blairmont, Rose Hall and Uitvlugt, which together, re-energised the previously devastated local rural economy. We also remodeled the marketing and sales mix from bulk sugar to higher value products and provided direct economic support to over 5,200 severed workers. Today, more than 8,300 persons are employed in the sector,” he said.

Further, the finance minister noted that in 2025, the Albion packaging plant commenced operations, and essential machinery and equipment were procured to improve factory operations across estates, including two mechanical harvesters.

“In addition, we rehabilitated over 100 cane punts, the Blairmont wharf, rotary sugar dryer drums and billet cane yards, and over 5 kilometres (km) of access roads. Furthermore, works progressed on the conversion of lands at Albion, Blairmont, Rosehall and Uitvlugt for mechanised planting and harvesting.”

Dr. Singh sad that over the next five years, the objective is to: continue mechanisation of field operations through land conversion; improve mechanical planting and harvesting; modernise factories and improve factory operations; promote high-yielding and high-value cane varieties; invest in value-added production including with private sector participation; improve worker, union, and management relations and transition workers to higher skilled roles.

“Ultimately, as outlined in the 2025 Manifesto, the strategy is to effectively transform and diversify GUYSUCO into an agro-industrial hub for rural economic development.

In 2026, over 3,000 hectares are targeted to be converted for mechanised harvesting. In addition, we will: replace three sugar boilers; procure five cane harvesters; construct a conveyor system for billet canes at Albion; procure additional sugar dryers for Rose Hall and Uitvlugt; install billet cane feeder tables; expand value-added production; and, improve all-weather road access to facilitate movement of billet canes.,” he said.

Drainage and Irrigation

The drainage and irrigation budgetary allocation of $$81.9 billion represents a $9.2billion increase from last year’s allocation. This allocation is the largest earmarked for a department which falls under the Ministry of Agriculture.

“Mr. Speaker, Government continues to invest in the development of critical drainage and irrigation (D&I) structures across the country. In 2025, we expanded D&I systems and networks, including the completion of structures in Adams Creek, Good Hope and Mabaruma and advanced civil works on the Hope-like structures in Regions 5 and 6. In 2026, works will continue to progress on the Hope-like structures in Regions 5 and 6, and commence in Region 3. Additionally, works will be completed on eight pump stations in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. To this end, $46.2 billion was spent in 2025, and this year, $81.9 billion is budgeted,” Dr. Singh said.

Rice

The government intends to invest in seed processing facilities, establish rice producing clusters, promote domestic fertiliser production, increase storage capacity through climate-controlled silos, work diligently to secure lucrative markets for paddy and rice, and develop and market value-added rice-based products. An amount of $1 billion is budgeted in 2026 to commence construction of the silos.

“In 2026, Government is already aggressively pursuing trade opportunities for rice to expand reliable markets in Mexico and Europe. We will also work to strengthen production through improved tillage, and the use of nano fertiliser and certified seeds. In addition, we will work to commercialise biofortified rice, introduce a new variety of aromatic rice and expand value added production,” Dr. Singh told the National Assembly.

He noted that last year, not including fertiliser and paddy subsidies, Government spent $430.9 million to support the development of the rice industry, and in 2026, an additional $430 million is budgeted.

“Mr. Speaker, Government supports the rice subsector with production-focused initiatives that will expand acreage and improve yields. This support has increased production steadily over the last five years. Key interventions implemented by Government in recent years include the distribution of climate resilient and high yielding varieties of rice to improve production and productivity, construction of drying floors, research on value added products, access to export markets, billions in direct support to farmers and millers, and the launch of a crop insurance facility at no cost to the farmers,” Dr. Singh said.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

The government has budgeted $1.5 billion to continue the development of the fisheries sector, the finance minister revealed. This year’s allocation represents a reduction of $200 million.

“Mr. Speaker, Government continues to facilitate the expansion of the fisheries industry, through support to our fisherfolk and to investors, and the improvement of infrastructure and services. In the last five years, we upgraded landing sites, relaunched the National Fisherfolk Organisation, promoted aquaculture development in producing prawns, brackish water shrimp and tambaqui cage farming, and commenced works on a feed mill and a shrimp hatchery,” he said.

Dr. Singh noted that last year the government facilitated the construction of 236 acres of brackish water shrimp ponds; installed 37 fish cages and operationalised 14 in Regions 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10; installed 100 vessel monitoring devices; completed the infrastructure for a shrimp hatchery; and, advanced the civil works for the feed mill.

“Looking forward, Government will develop aquaculture hubs and expand cage culture in hinterland communities, upgrade marine landing sites, and strengthen management systems for industrial fishing fleets. In 2026, key interventions will include completing the feed mill and shrimp hatchery, installing an additional 200 tracking devices on fishing vessels, and launching a digital seafood market platform allowing fisherfolk to connect directly with local and international buyers,” he disclosed.

Agro-Processing

Some $745 million has been budgeted this year to begin works on an agro-processing port facility at Parika, and a fruit pulping hub at Lethem, representing a $55 million decrease in allocations from last year.  Further, agro-processing facilities across the country will be upgraded “and we will continue to train agro-processors and promote our local products.”

“Mr. Speaker, over the last five years, 15 agro-processing and 10 cold storage facilities were established countrywide. In the medium term, we will continue to invest in agro-processing facilities such as fruit pulping hubs, and state-of-the-art cold storage and packaging facilities. These interventions will result in the reduction of post-harvest losses, and improve our export readiness,” Dr. Singh said.

In 2025, an agri-business hub was established in Bartica, 25 Guyana Shop corners were set up across Guyana and one in Barbados, 373 agro-processors were trained in packaging and labelling techniques, while works advanced on the Regional Food Hub at Yarrowkabra, which is slated to be completed in 2026.

To this end, the sum of $800 million was spent in 2025, and $745 million is budgeted to implement our plans for 2026.

Meanwhile, Dr. Singh said the agriculture sector is projected to grow by 7.6%. He said that sugar is expected to grow b y 67.9%, rice by 1.8%, other crops are expected to grow by 9.8%, livestock will expand by 2.6%, fishing is expected to grow by 2% while forestry is projected to grow by 7.6%.

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• Agriculture sector, Ashni Singh, budget, Drainage and Irrigation

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