GEORGETOWN, Guyana, DecC—Man is reporting elevated rice, corn, and soya manufacturing this yr and intends to increase manufacturing within the new yr.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha stated that with 725,282 metric tonnes of rice this yr, Guyana has surpassed its goal and achieved a record-breaking milestone in its agriculture sector.
“I need to say that it is a record-breaking manufacturing since our nation’s introduction of rice manufacturing. We have now elevated yield from 5.7 tonnes in 2020 to six.6 tonnes per hectare in 2024,” he advised reporters.
In 2024, Guyana exported 425,490 metric tonnes of rice and by-products to 30 nations, totaling US$254 million. Mustapha stated the nation has additionally secured new export markets, additional boosting its agricultural profile.
Mustapha stated that over the previous 4 years, rice manufacturing has seen a gentle enhance.
In 2021, Guyana produced 569,789 metric tonnes of rice. The quantity elevated in 2022 to 610,595 tonnes, and in 2023, 653,706 metric tonnes of rice had been harvested.
The staggering enhance in rice manufacturing was as a result of introduction of 4 new rice varieties over the previous 4 years.
“For 2024, we have now developed the brand new GRD 18 with a yield potential of seven to 9 tons per hectare. This was launched in October of 2024. Since 2020, we have now launched three different varieties, together with GRDB 16, GRDB 18, and the Bio-fortified rice, which is GRDB 17,” Mustapha stated.
All new rice varieties have a yield potential between seven to 9 tonnes per hectare.
Elevated rice manufacturing can also be attributed to enhancements within the capability of the assorted seed-paddy services all through the nation.
Mustapha stated that the large enchancment displays the federal government’s dedication to boosting agricultural manufacturing within the nation, noting that in 2024, the ministry was allotted a sum of GUY$97.6 billion (One Guyana greenback=US$0.004 cents) to assist enhance effectivity and the administration of its rice sector.
In the meantime, Guyanese farmers cultivated 12,000 acres of corn and soya in 2024, and Mustapha stated that whereas it is a outstanding accomplishment, the objective is to increase manufacturing in 2025.
“We hope by subsequent yr that this shall be elevated to 25,000 acres twice yearly with a possible for additional enlargement as a result of that is the quantity we must be self-sufficient.”
He stated that the federal government invested considerably within the Tacama, Savannah space alongside the Berbice River, the place greater than 40 kilometers of highway had been constructed to change into self-sufficient.
An 18,000-tonne silo has additionally been erected, and a conveying system consisting of a wharf is at present beneath development that can be certain that corn and soya are successfully transferred onto ships for export markets overseas.
“We’re additionally working aggressively to be self-sufficient by the top of subsequent yr to provide all our black-eyed and pink beans. As I’m talking, works are ongoing on roads within the Kimbia space [Region Ten], the place we’re engaged on a private-public partnership to reap these beans,” Mustapha stated.
He stated 2,000 acres of land had been earmarked for this mega mission, land preparation, and limestone utility have already been accomplished, and 32 kilometers of highway have been constructed.
Like corn and soya, a silo with a storage capability of 15,000 tonnes has additionally been procured for the black-eyed and pink beans. With 200 hectares of beans about to be sowed, Mustapha expects the crop to be prepared for harvest as early as March 2025.
