Minister Mustapha calls for closer policy coordination in Agriculture

March 9 2026

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha recently addressed delegates from across the Caribbean who were in Guyana for a series of meetings aimed at shaping the Caribbean component of a strategic plan being developed by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

During his remarks, Mustapha encouraged participants to maintain close engagement with policymakers in their respective countries to ensure that programmes developed through international funding mechanisms align with national development priorities.

He emphasised that strong coordination between regional institutions and national administrations is critical to ensuring that agricultural initiatives effectively promote food security, resilience, and sustainable growth across the Caribbean.

The minister noted that recent reviews of agricultural output in the region indicate significant progress.

“Last year, when we conducted the review, many countries in the Caribbean had increased production, with the average increase being about 67 percent. That tells us that we are moving in the right direction and that the political will is there,” Mustapha said.

He added that the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture has played a key role in helping countries maximise the benefits of agricultural investments, but stressed the importance of consultation when designing programmes for member states.

“As technical persons, you should not plan programmes in isolation from policymakers. These programmes should align with governmental programmes to ensure they are meaningful and impactful,” he explained.

Mustapha, who also serves as Chair of the CARICOM Ministerial Taskforce on Food Security, reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the work of IICA both in Guyana and throughout the Caribbean region.