Agriculture science is set to become compulsory for students from Grades Seven to Eleven in secondary schools across Guyana, as the education system places greater emphasis on practical, hands-on learning and entrepreneurship.

Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain announced the plan at Agri-Value 2026, a student-led symposium showcasing agricultural innovation, entrepreneurship and agro-processing.

Hussain said all secondary schools would also be required to participate in the annual event, which allows students to demonstrate how locally grown crops can be transformed into marketable products.

He outlined a collaborative approach in which agriculture students grow crops, home economics students process them, business students handle marketing and sales, and English departments assist with developing advertisements.

The approach, he said, would help students apply classroom knowledge to real-world situations while developing practical skills and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Hussain also highlighted the need for schools to make better use of agricultural facilities and equipment, noting that resources provided to some institutions had not always been used effectively.

Agri-Value 2026 brought together students from 22 secondary schools to showcase value-added products developed under the supervision of teachers.

Chief Planning Officer Mischka White-Griffith also emphasised the importance of practical education, noting that agriculture science integrates several disciplines, including mathematics, science and business.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts to encourage young people to view agriculture as more than an academic subject, positioning the sector as a potential source of entrepreneurship, employment and economic development.