Gov’t targets 75,000 new acres as Pres Ali unveils plan for rice expansion
President Dr Irfaan Ali has outlined a sweeping agricultural push that he believes will reshape the rice industry and lift Region Six into a new phase of modern, technology-driven food production. The announcement followed a two-day cabinet outreach in the region, where government met directly with farmers and local stakeholders.
At the heart of the initiative is a major expansion of rice cultivation. Government intends to open an additional 15,000 acres for new planting, using higher-yielding varieties that can deliver between 40 and 45 bags per acre. Beyond that, the President said the long-term goal is to create the infrastructure needed to bring another 75,000 acres into active rice production in Region Six.
To reach that target, Dr Ali explained that government is examining a broad package of measures aimed at lowering production costs and easing farmers’ day-to-day challenges. This includes improvements to roads, dams, storage facilities, canals and drainage networks, as well as better farm-to-market access. The President noted that these upgrades will be supported by plans to expand the seed-processing facility and introduce new systems to make farming more efficient.
However, Dr Ali stressed that the future of agriculture in the region cannot depend solely on rice. He said government is encouraging farmers to set aside one acre out of every ten for diversification, whether through livestock, cage farming or high-yielding alternative crops. That, he explained, is meant to build long-term resilience and broaden the revenue base for farming communities.
Technology and modernisation are also central to the plan. The President announced that extension services will soon operate on a 24-hour basis, supported by digital tools and precision-agriculture systems provided through the Ministry of Agriculture.
A new information matrix and a “Palm App” will give farmers access to educational materials, real-time guidance and direct communication with extension officers from their smartphones. This digital platform will be linked to the government’s wider service-delivery system to ensure proper monitoring, accountability and quick responses in the field.
Despite global challenges and fluctuations in the rice market, Guyana continues to post strong production numbers. The country is on track to produce 820,000 metric tonnes of rice. Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has already stated that government’s aim is to push Guyana toward producing one million tonnes in the coming years and solidify its place as one of the region’s leading food suppliers.
The momentum is already visible in the data. In the first half of 2025, the rice sector grew by 13.9 per cent. GRDB figures show that 410,194 tonnes of rice equivalent were produced between January and June this year, up from 362,030 tonnes in the same period of 2024. Officials credit the rise to favourable weather and stable yields, with the first crop of 2025 averaging 6.6 tonnes per hectare, matching 2024’s performance.
That upward trend has been steady for the past four years. The first crop of 2020 averaged 5.7 tonnes per hectare, gradually climbing to 6.6 tonnes by 2024. Total annual production has followed a similar path, moving from 559,789 tonnes in 2021 to 610,595 tonnes in 2022, and 653,706 tonnes in 2023.
With government now doubling down on expansion, infrastructure and technology, the rice industry, already one of Guyana’s strongest pillars, appears headed into its most ambitious phase yet.
