Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said the agriculture sector has seen massive transformation and Guyana has emerged as the leading CARICOM voice in prioritising food security. He added “Food security in one word,” and later said “We are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and I am very optimistic as Minister of Agriculture that we will reduce the food import bill of the country, reduce the food import bill of CARICOM and at the same time increase production,”. President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has assumed responsibility as lead Head of Government for agriculture and food security within CARICOM. Guyana is now chairing the CARICOM ministerial task force on agriculture and food security.
The agriculture budget was $18.4 billion in 2020. The agriculture budget was $113.2 billion in 2026. The agriculture budget increased by approximately 515 per cent.
Rice production was approximately 500,000 tonnes in 2020. Rice production was 825,000 tonnes in 2025.
Production across 15 priority commodities was 1.41 million tonnes in 2020. Production across 15 priority commodities was 1.81 million tonnes in 2025.
Corn production increased by more than 330 per cent. Coconut production grew by 235 per cent. The livestock industry recorded a 12.5 per cent growth between 2020 and 2025. Poultry production was 43,736 tonnes. Poultry production was 91,382 tonnes.
Thirteen agro‑processing facilities have been established across the country. Approximately 1,200 shade houses have been established through government programmes over the past five years. 300 acres of onions are expected to be cultivated in Region Nine this year.
Guyana advanced a strategy aimed at reducing the region’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2030.
