DR partnership to drive Guyana’s fruit output

April 17 2026

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Wednesday engaged a high-level delegation from the Presidential Commission for Guyana–Dominican Republic Initiatives, as discussions intensified on collaborative efforts to strengthen Guyana’s fruit production sector.

The visiting team included former Dominican Republic President Hipólito Mejía, Ambassador Tulio Rodríguez, two agronomic specialists, and other senior officials from the Dominican Republic Embassy.

Central to the discussions was the proposed Mango Cultivation Project, under which the Dominican Republic is expected to provide planting material for 15 high-yielding, disease-free mango varieties. Each variety will be cultivated on one hectare of land to establish parent stock and support long-term production.

The meeting also examined plans for an Avocado Cultivation Project, which will involve the importation of planting material for approximately 10 high-yielding avocado varieties. The initiative is intended to expand Guyana’s avocado production, diversify its fruit crop base, and create new export opportunities.

Both projects are slated to commence in July, following the arrival of planting materials in June.

Also present at the meeting were Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Dhaneshwar Deonarine; Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Jagnarine Singh; and other NAREI officials.