Guyana is progressing towards achieving self-sufficiency in corn and soy production for its poultry sector by the end of 2025. This initiative, revealed by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha during the ministry’s year-end assessment, is projected to result in substantial savings of foreign currency, approximating US$30 million by 2025’s conclusion.
Mustapha indicated that for 2024, Guyana allocated 12,000 acres for the cultivation of corn and soy. By 2025, this area is expected to expand to 25,000 acres, with plans to plant these crops biannually. To attain self-sufficiency, Mustapha stated, the nation must cultivate 25,000 acres of corn and soy each year. The expansion of land designated for this initiative will be vital in minimizing imports while also enhancing local economies by generating agricultural and related job opportunities.
Acknowledging the importance of efficient transportation and storage systems for the success of this initiative, the government has invested in rural infrastructure development. One such investment is the Takama Savannah project, which entails constructing hundreds of kilometres of roads to improve connectivity between agricultural areas and market centres. Furthermore, the government has also allocated funds for the establishment of 18,000-tonne silos, conveyor systems, and a special wharf, enabling farmers to directly transport their goods to ships. In accordance with these measures, the government is also striving for self-sufficiency in additional agricultural products, particularly black-eyed peas and red beans. Local production of these beans is anticipated to commence by the middle of this year, with work already in progress in the Kimbia region.
A combined total of 2,000 acres has been designated for the cultivation of red beans and black-eyed peas, and out of the required 34-kilometre road network to facilitate this area, 32 kilometres have been completed. With a design capacity of 15,000 tonnes in silos for the beans, this project aims to reduce the nation’s dependency on imports for these commodities as well.
The first harvest of red beans and black-eyed peas is expected in March 2025, with the ambition that by June 2025, Guyana will attain complete self-sufficiency in these crops.