Representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) along with officials from the Caribbean and Latin American countries recently met virtually to discuss various impacts on the global agri-food systems.
This high-level virtual event was organized to allow stakeholders to present updates on the progress made on their roadmaps one year after the UN Food Systems Summit, the effects of the current situation, and the adaptation of the different countries to future challenges.
While speaking on Guyana’s efforts, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said Guyana has been investing in strengthening food security in the region by funding several projects and programmes aimed at expanding production.
In his address, Minister Mustapha noted that the government remains committed to increasing production and productivity and easing access to markets for farmers and consumers.
He explained that efforts are also being made to ensure the sector develops resilience which includes youth involvement along with adequate, efficient, and reliable drainage and irrigation systems.
“In 2022, we launched the Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme that targets the production of high-valued crops while posing as a climate adaptive solution to crop production. It also targets young persons with an interest in agriculture. With that being said, our government has set out to ensure all future food and agriculture projects will have 35% youth involvement,” he explained.
Minister Mustapha also said that the government has been implementing mechanisms to advance the roadmaps designed to develop a more resilient agri-food sector. This he said, has seen the government engaging in public-private agreements with the local private sector.
