– as vegetable production surge to 380,000 tonnes despite dry season
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is eyeing the production of 50 million tonnes of cassava by year-end, even as vegetable production enjoys a resurgence despite the long period of drought and dry weather.
This is according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, during the opening of GuyExpo, which was held this year under the theme “Guyana on Show: The Fastest Growing Economy.” The President explained that a key element of this fastest-growing economy will be boosting value-added production.
“It is not simply production. It is transformation. It is about adding value to what we produce. Elevating every productive activity. And building a future where our resources work for us. For our people. For our communities. In ways that go beyond what is extracted or what is counted up in the GDP. Take for example the diversification of the agriculture sector. And how the ramping up of production (happens) so we can move into value-added,” the President said.
According to the Head of State, several agriculture sectors are on positive growth trajectories. They include rice production and cassava production, where the government is eyeing exports to international markets. Then there is the corn and soya bean industry, which the government is working to ensure Guyana is self-sufficient in its production by next year.
“In just the last two years, our rice production last year was about 653,000 tonnes. We expect to close this year at 720,000 tonnes. Our cassava production… and the Minister outlined our core strategy, based on international markets. Our cassava production last year was 20 million tonnes. We will close this year producing more than 50 million tonnes of cassava. From 20 million tonnes to 50 million tonnes,” the President said.
“Our corn and soya bean production will move from 9000 tonnes, to close to 20,000 tonnes. Our vegetable production will move from 340,000 tonnes last year, to 380,000 tonnes at the end of this year. Even after the prolonged drought and dry season. Brackish water shrimp production will move from 6000 kg to 98,000 kg per month. Our honey production will move from 3000 gallons to 18,000 gallons. Those are the numbers that will help us to build the value-added industry that will support the expansion of primary products.”
Only last month, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha revealed in the 2024 edition of the Caribbean Business & Travel (CBT) Magazine that has seen a massive increase in fruit and vegetable production when compared to previous years.
Mustapha, who is also The Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ministerial Task Force on the 25 per cent by 2025 food security initiative, Zulfikar Mustapha, had described this as remarkable progress since several countries, especially Guyana, have been ramping up agricultural production and exports
According to the Minister, there has been a sizeable increase in vegetables produced. In 2022, production totalled 330,449 tonnes compared to 340,643 in 2023 and from January to June 2024 182,238 tonnes were produced.
Fruit production has increased from 197,877 tonnes in 2022 to 205,658 last year and for the first half of 2024, 104,899 tonnes were grown. Moreover, Mustapha revealed that discussions were held with the private sector in Barbados, which wants to import from Guyana, a lot more of their fruits and vegetables which they are currently sourcing from Latin America, especially pineapples and oranges.
In the rice sector, the government has been exploring new rice varieties and export markets, in a move that aligns with its commitment to advancing the agricultural sector and ensuring sustainable development. And the recent resolution of the longstanding Panama rice deal that saw millers finally receiving $1.5 Billion that they were owed by the Panama government, is likely to boost production and morale alike in the industry.
The government has spoken of its plans to use science and technology to advance initiatives such as developing an industrial cassava flour mill. This can churn out cassava flour and can be marketed to niche international markets.
Meanwhile, in the 2024 Mid-Year report, it was reported that the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors were estimated to have expanded by 7.6 per cent in the first half of last year. This was driven by growth in all subsectors – namely other crops, rice growing, livestock, fishing, forestry, and sugar. (G-8)
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