Latest update March 13th, 2026 12:35 AM
Agri Minister lays out Govt. plan to expand food production
(Kaieteur News) – One day after the Opposition accused the Guyana government of presenting a national budget that fails to make adequate provision for the expansion of food production, thereby keeping Guyanese in abject poverty, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha outlined an extensive plan to be financed with a $113.2B allocation.
Responding to comments made on Monday by APNU MP Vinceroy Jordan, Mustapha pointed out that allocation for the fisheries sector have been increased in 2026, moving from $1.7B in 2024 to $2.3B this year.
Overall, he pointed out that this year’s allocation to the Ministry of Agriculture has increased by 33% from 2025, reflective of government’s focus on food security.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha
This year, Minister Mustapha said coconut production will expand by 5000 hectares, while provision will also be made for 40 more fish cages to increase fish production across the country. For other crops, $3.3B has been allocated with a shrimp hatchery likely to become operable this year, with more vessel tracking devices to be procured.
Also on government’s agenda is the Digital Seafood Market platform. In the livestock sector, Mustapha explained $1.9B is allocated for various initiatives such as tunnel pens, expansion of abattoir in Onverwagt, Berbice and increased honey production.
An agro-processing facility is also slated to be constructed at Parika and Lethem while a black eye and red peas project will come online in Kimbia. On the coastland, some 50 shade houses will be built for women specifically in Tiger Bay to commence cultivation of high value crops. The Guyana School of Agriculture is also high on government’s agenda, as well as the game changing Guyana Development Bank that will benefit farmers across the country, providing $3M in loans with no collateral or interest rates.
Besides those initiatives, he pointed to measures imbedded in the budget such as the removal of corporate taxes on agro-processing businesses and a flat tax on double door pickups and removal of taxes on certain engines to benefit farmers and the working class. As such, he concluded, “There are lots in this budget for the farmers and the working people in this country…this $113.2B is the government’s contract with the people of our country. It is a contract that says your food will be affordable, your land will be irrigated and drained in time and your children will have a career in the most noble of all industries.”
On day one of the Budget Debates, APNU MP, Vinceroy Jordan criticised the $1.558 trillion budget presented to the National Assembly on January 26. He said, “This government is not serious about food production and food security and wanting Guyana to return to being the breadbasket of the Caribbean…a mere $1.9 billion goes to livestock and $3.3 billion to other crops. Mr. Speaker, to the area which generates our foods including meat and milk only a mere 4.5% of the entire budget is allocated. This is not putting people first.” Jordan believes that any government serious about decreasing the cost of living would have ensured that each region enacts a sound plan for the development of sustainable agriculture to increase food production and contribute to reduction of the price of food, ensuring food availability and security. He questioned, “Where are the plans, where are the programs that would transform the agriculture sector, put food on our tables, and develop the lives and livelihoods of our people?”
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