During a visit to Banakari and Tiger Bone along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway on Thursday, Agriculture Minister Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha met with residents to discuss the government’s plans for agricultural and infrastructural development over the next five years.
Minister Mustapha assured residents that from 2025 to 2030, the government aims to accelerate development in all sectors, building on progress made from 2020 to 2025. He emphasized a strong focus on expanding agriculture, modernizing infrastructure, and empowering small-scale farmers.
“We are building state-of-the-art facilities and have already taken health care to a new level. In agriculture, we are moving beyond traditional methods. With what we are doing at Yarrowkabra, you too will benefit. There is a lot of land in this area, and we want to work with you to unlock its full potential,” Minister Mustapha said.
A key component of the plan involves bringing an additional 100,000 acres under cultivation over the next five years. The Minister highlighted the need to transition from primarily traditional farming methods to value-added and smart agriculture practices, including hydroponics and other modern techniques aimed at increasing productivity and sustainability.
To support this shift, the government plans to establish an interest-free agricultural bank. The initiative is designed to help small-scale farmers access affordable financing to expand their operations, particularly those who have struggled to secure funding through conventional financial institutions.
“We know that many small farmers want to grow their holdings but lack the capital. That’s why we made a commitment in this five-year term to establish a bank that provides interest-free loans, so that no farmer is left behind,” Minister Mustapha stated.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working closely with communities to ensure that development is inclusive, targeted, and impactful. Residents were urged to take full advantage of the opportunities as Guyana continues to transform its agricultural sector and rural economy.
