More farmers in Guyana are embracing science and technology, as the country combats global challenges including climate change, and disruptions on the world market, according to the Minister of Agriculture, Zulficar Mustapha.

“Our farmers are innovating by embracing science, technology, research, mechanization, digital agriculture and climate smart production,” the Agriculture Minister said.

This morning, Minister Mustapha delivered the keynote address during the launch of Agriculture Month under the theme “Innovate, Nourish, Grow: Building a Strong and Sustainable Guyana.”

He said drone technology has transformed the way in which agriculture is done in the country, while applications such as the Farmers Connect App are providing farmers with real time information on the Agriculture Sector from weather updates to advisories.

“We are now seeing drone technology…sensor-based precision irrigation, the farmers app are now being used more and more by farmers. Right here at the Ministry of Agriculture, we have an app where farmers, who can live in Region One or Region 10 or the remote part of Region Nine, and you can have regular service through that app from the Ministry of Agriculture here in Georgetown, that is the innovation I am talking about,” Minister Mustapha said.

Mustapha said the increasing use of technology forms part of Government’s efforts to ensure citizens are provided with safe, nutritious and a reliable supply of food as the country forges ahead with plans to become a leader in the area of food security within the Latin America and Caribbean Region.

Citing a report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Agriculture Minister said Guyana is among four countries within the Latin America and Caribbean Region that have a hunger and undernourishment prevalence under 2.5%. He said that is indicative of the strides made.

Notwithstanding the a decline in the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Sector, which contracted by 0.5% during the first half of the year, the Agriculture Minister said “Guyana is grow, and the Agriculture Sector is growing with it” with increased opportunities across the various subsectors.

He reported that more young people are being drawn to the sector in addition to women.

 According to him, the Agriculture Ministry has surpassed the mandate given to it by the President for all projects under the Ministry to constitute 35% of women and young people.

“When you look around our country today, more and more women are involved in agriculture. Look at the agro-processing sector, we have over 4,000 products now coming out of the agro-processing sector. Almost 90% of the participants in the agro-processing sector are women. Look at young people today, young people who would have pass through the Guyana School of Agriculture, the University of Guyana, today they are actively involved in agriculture, they are making their livelihood through agriculture before they were just clerical workers. Look at the Agriculture Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme that we started, hundreds of young people are involved in that programme,” he explained.

He admitted, however, that there are still challenges facing the Agriculture sector.

Guyana like the rest of the world is grappling with the effects of climate change in particular extreme weather events, and disruption to global chains.

Minister Mustapha noted that the effects of changing weather patterns including the prospects of drier periods and higher temperatures associated with the current El Nino condition, underscore the importance of preparedness, effective water management and climate resilience in agriculture.

He said despite these challenges, Guyana continues to demonstrate the strength and resilience of its agriculture sector and its capacity to safeguard food security.

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