Rice farmers on the Essequibo Coast are being urged to diversify into other agricultural activities as authorities expand support for the rice industry.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said on Tuesday that rice remains a central pillar of the economy, while assuring continued state investment in the sector through improved seed varieties, drainage and irrigation works, and other support measures aimed at boosting production.
He encouraged farmers to adopt integrated farming systems by allocating portions of their land to alternative crops and aquaculture, saying this would help increase income streams and reduce reliance on a single crop.
“Rice remains important, but we want farmers to benefit from multiple sources of income,” Mustapha said, adding that technical assistance would be provided through agencies including the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).
He suggested that farmers consider crops such as onions and other high-value produce, as well as shrimp farming, noting that markets are already being developed. Mustapha said plans are underway to expand onion cultivation, with additional acreage expected to come on stream.
The minister also pointed to ongoing investment in drainage and irrigation systems and farm-to-market roads aimed at reducing production costs. He said rice cultivation now exceeds 230,000 acres, with output increasing in recent years.
Further infrastructure works are expected under the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), including the rehabilitation of access roads in farming communities.
Mustapha also outlined a cash assistance programme for rice farmers, under which those cultivating fewer than 50 acres will receive $15,000 per acre, while those with more than 50 acres will receive $10,000 per acre. He said a verification exercise is underway to ensure transparency before payments are disbursed.
Farmers at the meeting welcomed the measures, saying the support would help offset rising production costs.
Senior agriculture officials, including Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture Dhaneshwar Deonarine, NDIA Chief Executive Officer Lionel Wordsworth, and Regional Chairman Devin Mohan, also attended the engagement.
Minister Mustapha meeting with Essequibo farmers
