The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Agriculture, is taking decisive steps to resolve longstanding agricultural land issues in Region Five, while simultaneously expanding the productive land base, strengthening agricultural infrastructure and creating greater opportunities for farmers to increase production.
The interventions were highlighted today by Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, during an engagement with farmers and residents of Shieldstown and surrounding communities, where a number of longstanding concerns relating to agricultural land, drainage and irrigation, access roads, livestock production, financing and farmers’ livelihoods were raised.
A central issue was the longstanding situation at SeaField, where 50 farmers were issued leases in 2013 but have subsequently faced uncertainty surrounding their access to the lands.
Minister Mustapha said the Government is moving to bring resolution to the matter, noting that legal proceedings have affected some of the leases.
Following an examination of the situation, the Minister has instructed the Manager of the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA) to proceed with providing occupancy to the 49 farmers whose leases are not presently before the court, while respecting the ongoing legal process in relation to the matter before the court.
“This matter has been outstanding for far too long. Farmers cannot be expected to invest, produce and contribute to the national economy while being left in uncertainty over access to agricultural land. We have a responsibility to resolve these issues, and that is precisely what we are doing,” Minister Mustapha said.
He stressed that the Government’s approach is one of problem-solving, fairness and respect for the law, rather than allowing longstanding agricultural matters to remain unresolved.
Opening more land for agricultural production
The Minister also announced that the issue surrounding approximately 1,000 acres of agricultural land has been resolved, creating additional opportunities for cash-crop and cattle farmers.
He encouraged farmers who have not yet organised themselves into recognised groups or corps to do so, noting that an organised approach will facilitate a more orderly, transparent and equitable process for accessing and developing agricultural lands.
Government is also advancing the development of approximately 5,000 acres for cattle production. Minister Mustapha explained that the objective is not simply to divide the area into individual parcels, but to develop the land in a structured manner that supports the wider farming community and reduces the potential for disputes over access and use.
Approximately $100 million is being invested in development works in the area to establish the infrastructure necessary to support agricultural activity. The Minister also emphasised the need to protect lands designated for crop production from competing uses and to address situations where cattle enter agricultural lands, potentially damaging farmers’ crops.
Infrastructure must keep pace with agricultural expansion
Minister Mustapha said expanding agricultural production must go hand-in-hand with investment in the infrastructure that allows farmers to utilise their lands efficiently.
Farmers raised concerns about access roads, irrigation and drainage, including water seeping through embankments and the need for regular weeding and maintenance in Shieldstown.
The Minister said the relevant agencies will be required to examine these concerns and undertake the necessary interventions.
He stressed that drainage and irrigation infrastructure are not peripheral issues but fundamental components of agricultural production.
“Farmers need more than land. They need roads to access their farms, drainage to protect their crops, irrigation to support production and the institutional support to make their investments viable. Our approach is therefore to address the entire agricultural production system,” the Minister said.
Regularising payments to farmers
Concerns were also raised about delays in payments by the MMA-ADA. Minister Mustapha said he has received assurances that payments will be regularised, with payments expected to be made during the second week of each month.
He also cautioned against the obstruction, misuse or improper alteration of drainage trenches, noting that the functionality of the drainage network is critical to protecting agricultural lands and maintaining production.
The Government is also moving to address one of the major constraints facing farmers: access to affordable financing. Minister Mustapha said the Guyana Development Bank is expected to commence operations this month or early next month, creating an additional financing avenue for small and medium-sized farmers.
Under the announced financing arrangement, eligible farmers will be able to access loans of up to $3 million without interest and without collateral or a guarantor, subject to a viable investment plan.
The Minister urged farmers to prepare viable proposals and take advantage of the financing opportunities being created to expand production, modernise their operations and invest in productive assets.
He also highlighted previous Government measures aimed at reducing the financial burden on farmers, including the reduction of annual land rental and NIS charges from $15,000 to $3,500, as well as the clearing of outstanding arrears owed by farmers.
The engagement also addressed concerns from persons involved in the fisheries sector. Shrimpers reported approximately six months of poor catches and difficulties accessing reliable markets for their products. Minister Mustapha said the Ministry will engage the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) to examine mechanisms through which shrimp could be purchased and marketed, providing producers with an additional and more reliable market outlet.
Minister Mustapha said the issues raised during the Shieldstown engagement reflect the Government’s broader commitment to removing the obstacles that have historically constrained farmers, while creating the conditions for agriculture to expand.
He said the Government’s policy is clear: productive agricultural land must be brought into production, farmers must have access to the infrastructure and financing required to succeed, and longstanding problems must be addressed rather than passed from one administration to another.
“The agricultural sector cannot move forward if farmers are continually confronted by unresolved land issues, inadequate infrastructure, limited financing and weak market access. Our responsibility is to remove those barriers and create an environment where farmers can produce, invest and grow,” Minister Mustapha said.
The Minister reaffirmed that the Government will continue engaging directly with farmers and communities, noting that these engagements are important in ensuring that policy decisions and investments respond to the realities on the ground.
He said the Government’s vision is to build a stronger, more productive, and more resilient agricultural sector capable of creating employment, strengthening food security, generating income for rural communities, and contributing significantly to Guyana’s continued economic transformation.
