GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Guyana’s rice industry is on track to record its highest-ever annual output, with projections pointing to some 820,000 tonnes of rice by year’s end—an achievement officials say brings the country closer to its ambitious one-million-tonne milestone.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said the performance reflects years of investment, innovation, and targeted government support. “We want Guyana to be one of the main food-producing countries in the region,” he told farmers during a regional outreach in East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six).
The forecast marks a major jump from the 725,282 tonnes harvested in 2024, underscoring the sector’s steady recovery and expansion. According to the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), the first crop of 2025 alone yielded 413,239 tonnes, already surpassing half of the projected total.
Officials credit the growth to several key measures, including increased fertiliser support—from half a bag per acre to a full bag—along with enhanced field monitoring and pest-control programmes. The GRDB has also introduced a more transparent payment system that guarantees farmers GY$300 per bag of paddy, ensuring quicker payouts and better cash flow.
To further strengthen the industry, the government plans to establish an interest-free agricultural bank to finance mechanisation and expansion, while also rolling out a digital farm-management platform to give farmers real-time updates on weather, crop health, and market conditions.
Minister Mustapha said these initiatives not only improve yields but also safeguard livelihoods. “Every intervention—whether through technology, drainage works, or subsidies—is about helping farmers grow more efficiently while keeping the sector resilient,” he said.
Agriculture analysts say the new record would reaffirm Guyana’s position as one of the Caribbean’s top food producers and a leading contributor to regional food security.
If current trends hold, the country could surpass its 820,000-tonne goal within months—a milestone that would place Guyana well on course toward becoming a million-tonne rice economy in the near future.