The Ministry of Agriculture has rejected APNU’s claim that the Government has failed to deliver results in agriculture, arguing
that a contraction recorded during the first half of 2026 does not reflect the sector’s performance over the past five years.
In an October 28 statement responding to APNU’s call for a National Agricultural Transformation Plan, the Ministry said the Opposition’s proposals cover several areas already being funded and implemented by the Government.
The Ministry acknowledged that agriculture, forestry and fishing contracted by 0.5 per cent during the first six months of 2026. It attributed the decline mainly to a 6.4 per cent contraction in the Other Crops subsector, where sustained above-normal rainfall disrupted planting, damaged crops and limited access to farmlands.
However, it said sugar, rice, livestock, forestry and fishing all recorded growth during the same period.
“The central problem with APNU’s argument is that it treats a six-month contraction as evidence of a failed agricultural development strategy, while ignoring the performance of the sector over the preceding five years,” the Ministry stated.
Citing constant-price figures, which account for changes in prices, the Ministry said the sector’s real value increased from approximately $192.2 billion in 2020 to $437 billion in 2025. It contrasted this with a decline from $224.9 billion in 2015 to $192.2 billion in 2020 under the APNU/AFC administration.
Responding to the call for a transformation plan, the Ministry pointed to programmes covering additional agricultural lands, drainage and irrigation, agro-processing, research, financing and market access.
It said Budget 2026 provided $113.2 billion for the sector, including $81.9 billion for drainage and irrigation. The Government’s five-year programme also includes developing another 100,000 acres of arable land.
According to the Ministry, eligible farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs can also access loans of up to $3 million without interest or collateral through the Guyana Development Bank.
“Of course, expenditure alone does not establish success. Infrastructure must become operational, cultivated acreage must expand, productivity must improve, and farmers must derive greater income from their production,” it acknowledged.
The Ministry also challenged APNU’s criticism of the Guyana Sugar Corporation, pointing to the closure of the Wales, East Demerara, Rose Hall and Skeldon estates under the former administration. It said those decisions affected 7,047 permanent and temporary workers and reduced the industry’s productive capacity.
While arguing that restoring estates requires years of rehabilitation, replanting and investment, the Ministry acknowledged continuing problems within the industry.
“The downward revision of the 2026 sugar production target is disappointing and demonstrates the work that remains,” it said.
On food prices, the Ministry recognised the impact of the 6.7 per cent increase recorded between December 2025 and June 2026. It said weather disruptions, imported inflation, transportation costs and distribution margins all influence what consumers pay.
Its response, the Ministry said, includes support for cultivation, storage and processing, along with farmers’ markets intended to connect producers directly with consumers. It also reported that approximately $2.8 billion was distributed to 5,106 rice farmers during the first half of 2026.
The Ministry maintained that agricultural investment must be assessed against measurable results, including production, yields, farmers’ incomes and food affordability.
It said APNU’s proposals contain objectives the Government supports, but maintained that these are already part of an existing national development programme.Kevin:
Agriculture Ministry rejects APNU criticism, points to production gains since 2020
The Ministry of Agriculture has rejected APNU’s claim that the Government has failed to deliver results in agriculture, arguing that a contraction recorded during the first half of 2026 does not reflect the sector’s performance over the past five years.
In an October 28 statement responding to APNU’s call for a National Agricultural Transformation Plan, the Ministry said the Opposition’s proposals cover several areas already being funded and implemented by the Government.
The Ministry acknowledged that agriculture, forestry and fishing contracted by 0.5 per cent during the first six months of 2026. It attributed the decline mainly to a 6.4 per cent contraction in the Other Crops subsector, where sustained above-normal rainfall disrupted planting, damaged crops and limited access to farmlands.
However, it said sugar, rice, livestock, forestry and fishing all recorded growth during the same period.
“The central problem with APNU’s argument is that it treats a six-month contraction as evidence of a failed agricultural development strategy, while ignoring the performance of the sector over the preceding five years,” the Ministry stated.
Citing constant-price figures, which account for changes in prices, the Ministry said the sector’s real value increased from approximately $192.2 billion in 2020 to $437 billion in 2025. It contrasted this with a decline from $224.9 billion in 2015 to $192.2 billion in 2020 under the APNU/AFC administration.
Responding to the call for a transformation plan, the Ministry pointed to programmes covering additional agricultural lands, drainage and irrigation, agro-processing, research, financing and market access.
It said Budget 2026 provided $113.2 billion for the sector, including $81.9 billion for drainage and irrigation. The Government’s five-year programme also includes developing another 100,000 acres of arable land.
According to the Ministry, eligible farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs can also access loans of up to $3 million without interest or collateral through the Guyana Development Bank.
“Of course, expenditure alone does not establish success. Infrastructure must become operational, cultivated acreage must expand, productivity must improve, and farmers must derive greater income from their production,” it acknowledged.
The Ministry also challenged APNU’s criticism of the Guyana Sugar Corporation, pointing to the closure of the Wales, East Demerara, Rose Hall and Skeldon estates under the former administration. It said those decisions affected 7,047 permanent and temporary workers and reduced the industry’s productive capacity.
While arguing that restoring estates requires years of rehabilitation, replanting and investment, the Ministry acknowledged continuing problems within the industry.
“The downward revision of the 2026 sugar production target is disappointing and demonstrates the work that remains,” it said.
On food prices, the Ministry recognised the impact of the 6.7 per cent increase recorded between December 2025 and June 2026. It said weather disruptions, imported inflation, transportation costs and distribution margins all influence what consumers pay.
Its response, the Ministry said, includes support for cultivation, storage and processing, along with farmers’ markets intended to connect producers directly with consumers. It also reported that approximately $2.8 billion was distributed to 5,106 rice farmers during the first half of 2026.
The Ministry maintained that agricultural investment must be assessed against measurable results, including production, yields, farmers’ incomes and food affordability.
It said APNU’s proposals contain objectives the Government supports, but maintained that these are already part of an existing national development programme.
