Agriculture Sector Poised for Record Rice Production in 2025

January 22 2025- Guyana’s agriculture sector is achieving unprecedented growth, with approximately 225,000 acres of rice projected to be cultivated during the first crop of 2025.

This was announced by Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha at the commissioning of a new pump station in Region Five last Saturday.

Minister Mustapha hailed the anticipated crop yield as “record-breaking,” marking a significant achievement in the country’s agricultural history. He attributed this success to the government’s substantial investments in the sector since the PPP/C administration returned to office in 2020.

Among the innovations driving the sector are three new rice varieties introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture: the bio-fortified GRDB IICA 17, GRDB 16, and GRDB 18. These high-yield varieties are capable of producing seven to nine tonnes per hectare, contributing to Guyana’s strong performance in rice production.

In 2024, Guyana produced 725,282 metric tonnes of rice, surpassing the 700,000-tonne milestone for the first time in the country’s history. Rice cultivation spans five key regions—Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, and Six—which remain integral to the nation’s agricultural output.

Looking ahead, $430.9 million has been allocated for rice development in the recently announced 2025 National Budget, part of an overall $104.6 billion earmarked for the agriculture sector. This represents a six percent increase over the 2024 budget, which allocated $97.6 billion.

Minister Mustapha also highlighted Guyana’s regained status as the leading agricultural nation within CARICOM, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring food security and sustainable growth.

With this trajectory, Guyana is set to solidify its position as a regional powerhouse in agriculture, driven by innovation, investment, and a renewed focus on the sector’s potential.

(Source- Department of Public Information)