Guyana is set to achieve a significant milestone by producing all the soya bean and corn needed in the country by the second crop of this year.
This was highlighted by Zulfikar Mustapha during the launch of agriculture programmes in Regions Eight and Nine this week.
He said that an aggressive push to produce the commodities on a large scale has allowed the country to fully satisfy its domestic needs, while remaining on course to meet regional targets.
“Corn and soya, we are still importing… but we used to import almost US$40 million in corn and soya for Guyana. Now we are producing it… and by the second crop of this year we will be self-sufficient, producing all our needs,” the minister said.
After a successful 10,000-acre trial in 2023, production ramped up, with 30,000 acres targeted last year. This led to Guyana exporting soya beans to Barbados for the first time, the government said.
The minister said the industry forms part of broader initiatives to create a resilient economy through diversification. He stressed that a diversified agriculture sector plays an essential role in strengthening the economy and shielding it from external shocks.
The government is also ramping up production of coconuts, potatoes, onions, carrots and other high-value crops as part of efforts to reduce the country’s food import bill and provide the Caribbean with easier access to essential goods.
