Tarlogie model farm commissioned to advance sustainable agriculture in Guyana

In a significant step towards agricultural modernization and food security in Guyana, the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, commissioned a new Model Farm today at Tarlogie, East Berbice Corentyne.

The new facility, developed at an estimated cost of $14 million, received funding through the Ministry’s Sustainable Agriculture Development Project (SADP) with support from the Inter-American Development Bank.

The Tarlogie Model Farm is the fourth of its kind in the country and marks the second facility established in Berbice.

Minister Mustapha highlighted the Ministry’s ambitious goal of establishing a model farm in each region, underscoring the role of these farms as pivotal in reshaping agriculture through innovation, research, and development.

The aim of these farms, Minister Mustapha, noted is not just about production, but about embracing sustainable and modernized practices that elevate the sector’s status, attracting new generations.

In his address, Minister Mustapha challenged common stereotypes about agriculture, particularly those held by the youth, who often view farming as a low-status or unskilled profession.

Emphasizing that agriculture is the backbone of the nation’s economy, he argued that agriculture is not just a job for the uneducated or a labor-intensive pursuit with limited economic value, as often portrayed.

He pointed to the role that the sector plays in national food security, stating that without agriculture, achieving stable food supplies would be impossible.

Mustapha referenced the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, when countries worldwide faced food shortages, affecting even financially stable nations.

The crisis highlighted the need for countries to prioritize local food production to avoid dependency on imports during emergencies. As the Minister noted, “In Guyana, we are producing 60% of the food we are consuming…over the last four years we have seen agriculture become one of the moat attractive sector in our country…”.

Minister Mustapha pointed to CARICOM’s regional efforts to reduce the food import bill by 25% by 2025 as evidence of agriculture’s growing importance.

“All 15 CARICOM member states and the five associated states are working to reduce the food import bill by 25%…” he remarked, stressing that tremendous strides are being made across the region to enhance local food production and resilience.

The newly commissioned Model Farm in Tarlogie will serve as a hub for sustainable agricultural practices, including research into modern farming techniques, soil health, and climate-smart practices. By showcasing innovation and efficiency, the farm aims to attract new farmers and entrepreneurs, particularly young people, to see agriculture as a dynamic and profitable career path.

“With farms like these, what we are doing here now, in the history of the country, we never had these farms so that we can enlighten our young people, where our young people can have a different perception of Agriculture and the perception they have now, we want to change that, we want to ensure that we make agriculture more modern, more resilient so that they can embrace agriculture…”, Minister Mustapha said.

Ultimately, Minister Mustapha’s vision for the Tarlogie Model Farm aligns with Guyana’s broader national goals of sustainable economic growth, food security, and rural development. In his concluding remarks, he noted that more and more young people are getting involved in agriculture and also mentioned that at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara some 54 shade houses were established with the program expanding rapidly already across the country. He urged persons and students to make full use of the Model farm.

The Tarlogie Model Farm includes a small ruminants pen, swine pens, composting house, Black Giant Pen, shadehouses, Vermicomposting huts and more.