Thousands of farmers, officers benefit from major agriculture programme

Over 4,600 farmers and hundreds of agriculture officers across Guyana have been empowered through the Sustainable Agricultural Development Program (SADP), a partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Speaking at the programme’s exit workshop on Wednesday, IDB Country Representative Lorena Salazar- Solorzano highlighted the program’s impact, saying it has strengthened a sector that is better informed, equipped, and prepared to meet the needs of farmers, consumers and markets.

“Together we will reflect about the broader vision. A sector that is better informed, institutionally stronger, and more prepared to respond to the needs of farmers, consumers, and markets, and is fully aligned with the vision of Guyana in the 2025–2030 strategy,” she said.

The initiative has trained over 200 extension officers to provide hands-on technical support to farmers, while more than 6,000 farmers received training in modern agriculture techniques.

In addition to knowledge, farmers were provided with technological and agricultural equipment, helping them increase productivity, adopt innovative methods, and improve livelihoods.

“When you invest in the farmers, in the technology, the incomes of the families increase,” the IDB representative added.

The program also enhanced the country’s agricultural data and information systems, digitising key information to guide decisions on crop production and livestock management.

According to Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, the programme has transformed agriculture in Guyana.

“The sustainable agriculture development program clearly achieves the objective of assisting farmers to enhance their productivity and improve their livelihood, while also strengthening our agriculture institutions and modernising the systems that guide the sector in Guyana.

“Our farmers are learning, adapting, and progressing using modern techniques and technologies to grow more, waste less, and build a system like never before. Our extension officers are better trained to guide them in the field, ensuring that these investments translate into real improvements for families across the country,” Mustapha said.

The programme also supported soil rehabilitation, laboratory upgrades, infrastructure development, and expanded regional extension services.

Mustapha stressed that agriculture remains the backbone of Guyana’s economy, serving thousands of individuals and playing a critical role in food security, improved livelihoods, and economic progress.

“Guyana is setting an example by demonstrating that we can fulfill our global obligations to the Sustainable Development Goals while simultaneously advancing agriculture, empowering our people, and protecting our environment,” he said.