Guyana can produce enough corn, soya for livestock industry in two years – Mustapha

Given the increase in food production in Guyana, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha is confident in the country’s ability to assist in slashing the Caribbean region’s food import bill by 2025.

One of the areas the country is leading in is the production of corn and soya bean, thanks to a partnership among local poultry producers and the government.

Almost 10,000 acres of corn and soya beans were put under cultivation in 2023 and another 16,000 acres is likely for next year; there are plans for production to be ramped up to 30,000 in 2025.

“This will take us to self-sufficiency in 2025 for us to produce all of our livestock feed for our country’s needs.

“And for us to be a net exporter in the Caribbean,” Minister Mustapha said at a press conference Saturday.

Guyana saw successes in other areas this year as well.

Rice production saw an increase of seven percent with 653,706 metric tons compared to 2022 production of 610,595. That resulted in export earnings of $45.2 billion, or $3 billion more than 2022.

Sugar production was significantly higher with a 28 per cent increase, amounting to 13,155 metric tonnes.

The breeder programme to produce hatching eggs is in its first stage but already 2,900 were produced through the programme. Guyana currently spends about $350 million importing 52 million eggs per year.

Asked about President Dr Irfaan Ali becoming the Chairman of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) from January 1, Minister Mustapha said this is great for Guyana as the country is leading the charge in helping the Caribbean attain food security.

“Now we are seeing the political will is there and I think with the passion that our president has, he will drive this agenda and I think CARICOM’s focus will be directly towards increased production and reduce the food import bill.

“We have about eight commodities that were targeted to reduce the importation bill, things like poultry meat, meat products, rice, coconut; and Guyana will be playing a leading role in terms of helping reduce the food import bill and those commodities that were identified are produced locally,” the minister said.