Guyana emerges as leader in CARICOM, advances agri-food system agenda

Guyana: The Ministry of Agriculture said that in CARICOM, Guyana continues to play the leading role in agriculture and food and nutrition security. The announcement was made while the Ministry highlighted the sector's achievements for 2023.

The Ministry also said that since 2020, Guyana has emerged as a leader in CARICOM, advancing the agri-food system agenda.

As per the Agriculture Ministry, they are a leading voice in prioritizing food security and are positioned in the agriculture sector. This was non-existent during the previous government.

Also, Guyana's leadership on the "25 by 2025 Initiative" by CARICOM, which is aimed at reducing extra-regional agri-food import bill by 25% by the year 2025, is evidence that agriculture is viewed as a mainstay of the economy and a fundamental development pillar for the future low-carbon development path.

The Agri-Investment Forum and Expo held in Guyana under the theme 'Achieving Vision 25 by 2025' was held from the 20th to 22nd October 2023 in Georgetown, Guyana. This was the second expo of its kind held in Guyana and the third in the Region.

The country also developed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Agriculture between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.

The announcement of US100M support to the Region from the Government of the United States of America was also a major stride for Guyana's agriculture sector.

The country also witnessed the launch of a total of 130 new agro-processing products in 2023. Some of the products included Basara Gentle Shampoo and Nourishing Conditioner, Taz Instant Cook-up Rice, Heather's Products Cookies, Aunt Bago Mango Achar, Hosororo Chocolate Bar, as well as Fresh Packagers Coconut Fudge, among others.

Also, 54 new Guyana shop corners were established last year, bringing the total numbers in operation to 68. All these major achievements in the agriculture sector of Guyana have given a major boost to the overall growth and development of the country and have also pushed its GDP, resulting in Guyana being at the top of ECLAC's GDP Growth list with 39.2%.