AGRI Min Meets Brackish Water Shrimp Farmers — Highlights Major Expansion Plans

October 6 2025

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, met with brackish water shrimp farmers from Albion, Corentyne, to review the progress of the government’s ongoing shrimp production project.

During the engagement, Minister Mustapha emphasized that the government is committed to building a sustainable aquaculture industry and has been working closely with shrimp farmers to strengthen infrastructure and increase output.

“The government wants to build an industry. When you increase production and sell your shrimp, the money is recirculated in the economy. This programme doesn’t have major issues. It has been one of the most successful projects that we’ve started. We’ve moved from 80 farmers to about 150 farmers, and this is only on the Corentyne Coast,” the Minister stated.

He also announced plans to expand the project beyond Region Six. “Because of your successes, people in other regions want to get involved, so we’ll start in those regions soon, because we’ve already done several surveys. It is also important for those who’ve already benefited to maintain their ponds so that we can move on to other farmers,” he said.

Minister Mustapha further noted that the benefits of the government’s wider development agenda are being felt across the country. “When the government implements other benefits, you also benefit. When we give education grants, your children benefit. We are building hospitals and bridges. Our country’s landscape is changing, and the future is bright,” he added.

Highlighting regional interest, Minister Mustapha shared that Barbados’ Prime Minister had expressed interest in replicating Guyana’s shrimp project following a visit to observe its success.

The Agriculture Minister reaffirmed that the government’s investments in aquaculture aim to establish it as a major industry, supporting economic growth and rural livelihoods.