October 8 2024 – In a landmark step towards modernizing the country’s agricultural sector, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha yesterday officially launched Guyana’s first Agriculture Information System (AIS).
Developed by local tech firm IntellectStorm, the AIS aims to enhance efficiency, boost productivity, and strengthen Guyana’s position as a leader in agriculture and digitalization in the region.
During his keynote address, at the Arthur Chung Conference Center, Minister Mustapha emphasized the transformative impact the AIS will have on the collection, management, and utilization of agricultural data. “The AIS is a groundbreaking development that will revolutionize how we handle agricultural data in Guyana,” said the Minister. “It will streamline our processes, from farm visits to real-time data integration, benefiting both farmers and agriculture agencies.”
He further explained that the AIS is supported by hubs in eight of the ten administrative regions, designed to serve as collaborative workspaces for extension officers.
These hubs are equipped with modern office facilities, internet access, and computers. Additionally, extension officers will be provided with tablets for use during farm visits, allowing them to record farmers’ concerns on-site and instantly upload the data to the AIS for real-time access by relevant agriculture agencies.
The AIS project was made possible through funding from the Inter-American Development Bank, under the Ministry’s Agriculture Sector Development Unit’s Sustainable Agricultural Development Program (SADP).
The system is expected to drive innovation and increase transparency across the agricultural sector, ultimately improving food security and economic growth in the country.
