Agriculture ministry Backing Region 9 youths to expand onion production

June 12 2026

The Ministry of Agriculture is supporting a group of young people in Region Nine who are seeking to expand onion production as part of efforts to boost local agriculture and create new economic opportunities.

President Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced during a recent social media address that about 40 young people in the region have already expressed interest in cultivating onions on a larger scale.

According to the President, agricultural extension officers are already working with the prospective farmers to strengthen their technical capacity and help develop their projects. The initiative will see participants organised into clusters, allowing them to benefit from structured support and shared resources.

Under the programme, young farmers will receive mentorship, financial literacy training, technical guidance and ongoing monitoring from field-based credit officers and facilitators. The aim is to ensure that new agricultural entrepreneurs receive the support needed to successfully establish and grow their operations.

The initiative will also involve experienced farmers, business leaders and other community stakeholders who will provide mentorship and guidance to participants as they develop their ventures.

Financing for the projects will be provided through the Guyana Development Bank, which will offer interest-free and collateral-free loans. Officials say the support system is designed to reduce the risk of failure among start-ups and small businesses while encouraging sustainable growth.

In the case of onion cultivation, the programme is expected to help farmers gradually expand from small-scale production to larger commercial operations, contributing to greater agricultural output in the region.

(DPI)