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Ministry of Agriculture

Regent & Vlissengen Roads
Georgetown, Guyana
South America

P.O. Box 1001

Cable Address: "MINFLAM"
tel: (592) 227-5527     fax: (592) 227-3638     email: guyagri@hotmail.com

 

headoffice.gif(60995bytes)Guyana’s agricultural sector is a vital contributor to the nation's economy and has played a significant role in its revival in recent years. Agricultural growth averaged 5.4% from 1993 to 1999, while output accounted for 32% of total Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The sugar and rice industries are at the forefront of agricultural activity in Guyana but "other crops", livestock and fisheries have continued to hold their own and in total, account for 10% of overall GDP and 32% of agricultural GDP. Positive growth was achieved by the sector for the last eight years, with the exception of 1998, when poor weather conditions, due to the El Niņo phenomenon, resulted in a 3.4% dip.

Given that approximately 70% of Guyana’s residents live in rural households, and are primarily dependant on income generated from agricultural related activities, a great emphasis has been placed on developing the agricultural sector in order to improve their standard of living and quality of life, while exploiting Guyana’s agricultural potential. 

A wide range of activities are underway based on the expressed needs of producers for better infrastructure, improvements in the administration of land, an effective and responsive system for information exchange, training, fiscal measures to enhance competitiveness and guidance in market development.

The farmers have returned to the soil in large numbers and the fruits of their labour are evident nationwide. The rural landscape has been transformed with a high level of activity linked to agricultural production, including new and rehabilitated access roads, equipped marketing centres, functional drainage and irrigation canals, commercial banks, input supply outlets and thousands of acres of farmed lands.

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Sugar  

The sugar industry, the largest agro-industry in the English-speaking Caribbean, is often referred to as the backbone of the Guyanese economy. Sugar is a way of life for the 18,500 employees, and their families, providing not only income, but contributing to their overall well-being in areas such as health care, education, housing, welfare, community services, and development of agricultural and industrial skills.

The performance of the industry over the last eight years has been remarkable. The industry has grown from strength to strength and Guyana has regained its reputation as a reliable supplier of high quality sugar to Europe, the US and CARICOM.

Significant achievements and developments in sugar include:

  • Sugar production of 321,438 tonnes in 1999, the highest ever production since the 1970s, and 98% higher than production in 1991.

  • Increase in exports by 67%, from 161,981 tonnes in 1991 to 270,248 tonnes in 1999.

  • Major capitalisation programmes in field and factory and greater emphasis on research and technology, resulting in a 40% increase in cane yield from 58.8 tonnes/hectare to 82.4 tonnes/hectare, and an 80% increase in sugar recovery from 4.1 tonnes/hectare to 7.4 tonnes/hectare, from 1991 to 1999.

  • Structural and managerial changes implemented to consolidate operations, optimise performance and reduce costs, through the merging of estates, improvement in the facilities for bulk loading and shipping, mechanisation of cane loading, centralisation of the management of stores and institutionalisation of the inventory validation programme.

  • Continuous reduction in cost of production, from US$0.21/pound in 1998 to US$0.17/pound in 1999.

  • Increased intake of private farmers’ cane from 3% in the 1980s to 8% in 1994 and to 10% in 1999.

  • Payment of profit sharing to workers of $314 million in 1999.

A Strategic Plan for sugar was adopted in 1998. The plan aims at production of 500,000 tonnes/annum, electricity generation for the national grid, increased cane supply from private farmers, new/rehabilitated factories and cost reduction to US$0.12/pound.

The sugar industry is operated principally by GUYSUCO, a single state-owned corporation, on a fully commercial basis.

For additional sugar statistics (1980-1997)...

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Rice  

research.gif(31600bytes)Guyana’s rice industry grew dramatically over the course of the 1990’s. It is the second largest agricultural sub-sector in Guyana and plays a pivotal role within both our society and economy. There are roughly 10,000 farm families involved in rice cultivation and thousands more are involved in milling, exporting, input supply, transport etc. Rice accounts for 4% of our total Gross Domestic Product and about 14% of our total exports. The Ministry of Agriculture plays a key role in facilitating the rice industry and has overseen some dramatic changes within the industry. The Ministry’s activities in improving the drainage and irrigation system and land administration have produced substantial benefits for the rice industry.

It was realised that there was a need for a centralised overseeing body and in 1994, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) was established with substantial representation from the Guyana Rice Producer’s Association (GRPA) and the Guyana Millers and Exporters Development Association (GRMEDA). As a result, farmers and millers now actively participate in decisions that shape their future. Indeed the rice industry is characterised by close co-operation between the public and private sectors.

Some of the highlights of the rice industry over the past decade include:

  • Production of 365,000 tonnes of rice was achieved in 1999, the largest volume of rice production in Guyana’s history.

  • A significant increase in exports to CARICOM has occurred, from 12,000 tonnes in 1994 to 76,000 tonnes in 2000. Also Guyana has begun expanding into non-traditional export markets in the wider Caribbean, South and Central America and West Africa.

  • The Burma Rice Research Station in 1997 delivered three blast resistant varieties of rice, BR 444, BR 240 and F7-10 which now account for 75% of total rice cultivation. New varieties of blast resistant rice similar to the popular ‘rustic’ variety are due for commercial release during 2001.

The Ministry of Agriculture remains committed to the further development and expansion of the rice industry. The future of Guyana’s rice industry will rely heavily on advancements in research, the development of value added products and improvements in its global competitiveness.

For detailed rice information...

For rice statistics ...

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Since 1992, Government policy in the agricultural sector has prioritised addressing problems associated with the administration of land and the regularisation of land tenure, which are seen to be major constraints to the development of the agricultural sector as a whole.

Significant progress has been made to streamline bureaucratic processes in lease issuance, and to improve the land tenure information maintained by the Lands and Surveys Commission with assistance from the British Government as part of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Project (GLASP).

Some of the outputs to date include:

  • Land adjudication and cadastral survey completed to facilitate systematic tenure regulation;
  • Land adjudication guidelines drawn up;
  • Computerised map of rental zones in coastal lands completed;
  • Policy measures approved, allowing for issuance of titles for acreages of 15 acres and less, subject to beneficial occupancy, and extension of leases of State Lands from 25 to 50 years;
  • Draft of a new State Lands Act and regulations completed;
  • Revised Standard Agricultural lease completed;
  • New Land and Surveys Commission Surveys Act passed in Parliament providing for a semi-autonomous and self financing body;
  • Draft Land Surveyors Profession Bill and regulations completed;
  • Over 5,600 agricultural leases, covering 136,000 acres issued to farmers;
  • Surveys of 1,750 holdings for full ownership titles completed;
  • 2,870 housing titles issued under the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund;
  • 8,321 free-hold titles for house lots granted under the Central Housing & Planning Authority;
  • 2,200 transfers of free-hold titles for house lots in Land Development Scheme.

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Drainage & Irrigation

Over 90% of Guyana's 25,000 farm households are concentrated along the narrow coastal plain of administrative Regions 2 to 6. Total arable land in this area of 400,000 ha., most of which lies below sea level. Drainage and irrigation (D&I) supports approximately 115,000 ha of irrigated crop production. Of this, approximately 50,000 ha is planted to sugar cane under the supervision of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO), a further 50,000 ha is planted to rice, with the remainder planted to non-traditional crops. In excess of 53% of the Ministry of Agriculture's capital budget in 1999 was dedicated to D&I related works, executed by the National Drainage and Irrigation Board (NDIB). In the period 1992-1999, the Government has invested G$6.3 billion in the D&I system. Some significant achievements in this period include:

  • Construction of 61 hydraulic structures and 854 miles of canals in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6.
  • Rehabilitation of 1,565 miles of canals in the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary area, opening up 55,000 acres of land.
  • Drafting of a new D&I Act.
  • Revision of the National Drainage and Irrigation Board (NDIB) Organisational Structure.
  • Establishment of five (5) pilot Water Users Associations in the MMA area and progress in setting up similar bodies in Regions 2 and 3, thereby setting the stage for greater investment of farmers in the operation of D&I infrastructure.
  • Conducted an engineering Walk-Through Survey of all D&I areas to assess the status of the system as a precursor to the D&I Master Plan.
  • Completion of the East Bank Essequibo Development Project (EBEDP) - 79 sluices, sluice gates, boxes, check panels rehabilitated/constructed; 257 miles canals cleared; 37 bridges rehabilitated/constructed.

Roads and Access Dams

  • 27.7 miles of all weather roads completed in Regions 2, 3 and 5.
  • 7 miles of earthen road completed in Region 5.
  • 90 miles of access dams graded and shaped in Region 4, 5 and 6.

National Drainage and Irrigation Board (NDIB)'s Home Page

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The need for skilled personnel and up-to-date technology in agriculture cannot be over-emphasised.  Training and research institutions in Guyana are well equipped to deliver the requisite human resources and the relevant programmes to promote sustainable agricultural development.

The Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Guyana (UG) has also made great strides in tertiary level agricultural training and graduates have proved their mettle both in the working environment and at overseas universities when reading for higher degrees. In the 1993-2000 period, a total of 121 students obtained their Bachelor’s of Science in Agriculture.

The Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) instituted a special recruitment drive for attracting more students from rural areas. In the 1993 to 2000 period, a total of 565 students (424 males and 141 females) successfully completed their studies at GSA, with Diplomas in Agriculture (334), Certificates in Agriculture (145) and Certificates in Forestry (86, introduced in 1995). Students graduating increased by 113% from 45 in 1993 to 96 in 2000.

The National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) is playing a crucial role in the agricultural diversification drive through applied and adaptive research and transfer of technology to farmers. Exciting projects in organic cocoa, duck, sheep, papaw, pineapple, mango, cassava and mushroom production have been initiated. Additionally, NARI works actively with the farming community in improving their cultivation and post-harvest practices.

The Regional Educational Programme for Agricultural Health Assistants (REPAHA), a CARICOM Secretariat administered institution located in Guyana, assists in the development of human resources for the agriculture sector, by providing an international standard of training and exposure to students.  Diploma courses are offered in Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health and in Livestock Production and Management. 

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Agricultural Sector Loan Programme

The Agricultural Sector Programme is designed essentially to bring about policy reforms to improve the efficiency in the areas of drainage and irrigation and administration of public lands as well as in the monitoring and enhancement of the agricultural physical environment.

For more information about the Programme...

FAO Telefood Special Fund

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations established the Telefood Special Fund in 1997.  The aim of Telefood is to improve the ability of rural communities to access sufficient food.  Telefood does this through the promotion of small, income generating, food production projects in developing countries. 

Organisations and associations in rural areas are eligible to apply for funding.  Three types of projects can be funded: 

  • Crop Production (cereals, roots and tubers, vegetables, fruits, others)
  • Small Animal Production (poultry, small ruminants, pigs, others)
  • Fish Production (small-scale fish culture)

For more information about the FAO Telefood Special Fund...

Intermediate Savannahs of Guyana (INSAP)

Great opportunities for agro-industrial investment exist in Guyana. The Government is developing the Intermediate Savannahs comprising of 250,000 hectares of virgin undulating land with good agricultural potential. The country has an abundant natural resources, good access to major markets, an ample supply of labour, and a wide range of possibilities for agribusiness.

For more information about INSAP...

Organic Agriculture

The objective of organic agriculture is to produce nutritious food in an economically viable and environmentally beneficial way.  An organic production system is designed to work constructively with natural biological cycles and to operate with minimal external inputs.  There have been a number of activities that have been under taken in Guyana relating to organic production such as the Organic Cocoa Project in Region 1 and the Organic Sugar Project at Uitvlugt.

For more information about Organic Agriculture...

Poor Rural Communities Support Services Project (PRCSSP)

The Poor Rural Communities Support Services Project (PRCSSP) is a community initiated agricultural/rural and community development project, which seeks to alleviate poverty in two coastal regions of Guyana, namely Regions 2 & 3, by increasing rural household incomes.

For more information about PRCSSP...

Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD)

The Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD) project documents innovative experiences and projects in the Caribbean and Latin America which have contributed to, or have lessons for, sustainable development of the agricultural sector and rural communities.  

For more information about SARD...

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This page was designed and developed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Regent & Vlissengen Rds, Georgetown, Guyana, South America, P.O. Box: 1001

If you have any questions or comments, please contact "guyagri@hotmail.com"

 

Agri-Net Guyana | Overview | Agricultural Institutions | Sub-Sectors | Support Services 

Statistics | Projects and Special Programmes | News & Current Events | Links | Search