– continues to champion and empower young people to get involved in agriculture
Attributing Guyana’s recent recognition on the global stage as the world’s number one self-sufficient nation, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali stated that it is as a result of years of coordinated work across sectors, wise government policies, strategic investment initiatives, and the tireless efforts of the nation’s farmers.
President Ali explained that while the government is pleased with the recognition and the progress that have been made in Guyana, there is more work and investments that are currently in progress in the agriculture sector.
With Guyana having the largest investment in hydroponics agriculture in the entire region, the president said the facilities will be targeting high-value crops so that Guyana’s import bill is significantly reduced and the country has sustainable and resilient agriculture.
President Ali said, “This is a state-of-the-art facility that will have extractor fans, temperature control, automated watering systems, and automated agrochemical applications.”
He also stated that the combined two hydroponics facilities in Region Two are replicated in Region Five and Region 10 and every other region across Guyana.
The president further added that the government is now shifting its focus to developing more modern agricultural facilities that aim to increase sustainable and resilient food production. He also noted that these initiatives are designed not only to strengthen local food systems but also to position Guyana as a key supplier to regional and international markets.
Furthermore, President Ali with great optimism to build a food production system that remains strong in the face of global challenges, climate change and supply chain disruptions said, “[We are] building the regional food hub, investing in the regional food hub, and creating the business ecosystem to support food production for Guyana, the region, and the world.”
Continuing on his mission to champion young people to recognise that they are the engine of Guyana’s future not only in agriculture but in all the facets of the country’s development, President Ali has made it apparent that his goal is to transform these initiatives into exciting, lucrative endeavours that pique the interest of young people.
Noting that his objective is to change perceptions about agriculture so that young people view the fields as exciting avenues for success and innovation rather than burdens, President Ali said, “How do we make this interesting? How do we make an enterprise through which young people are involved, through which young people feel excited about food production and excited about agriculture? That is what these magnificent facilities are for.”
