More than 3,000 farmers have already registered on the newly launched ‘Farmers Connect’ App, as the government pushes ahead with the digital transformation of Guyana’s agriculture sector.
Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, speaking at the launch, described the moment as a “proud and defining” step in modernising farming and placing real-time information directly into the hands of producers across the country.
“This morning here today is a proud and defining moment for agriculture in Guyana,” Mustapha declared, noting that the app forms part of President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s broader vision to fully modernise the sector through digital innovation.
The app is designed to close long-standing gaps in information, communication, and market access. Farmers will now have instant access to soil data, climate updates, weather forecasts, pest and disease alerts, real-time market prices, and direct links to buyers, agro-processors, and exporters.
“For too long, farmers have faced challenges accessing real-time pricing, receiving timely advisory services, and connecting efficiently with buyers and support agencies. This app will change that,” the minister said.
Unlike the Agriculture Information System (AIS) launched in 2024, which strengthens internal coordination within the ministry, the Farmers Connect App directly empowers farmers. It is integrated with a centralised national farmers’ database to ensure accurate, up-to-date information across all ten regions.
Mustapha also highlighted Guyana’s growing leadership in regional food production, noting that the country is the only nation capable of producing all seven major food groups identified in a recent global poll: fish, fruits, vegetables, dairy, plant-based proteins, starchy staples, rice, and corn.
“Guyana is the only country in the world that has the ability to do that,” he said. “We are not only producing to be self-sufficient, but we are also producing to be the main producer of food in this hemisphere.”
The app also includes an AI-powered feature that lets farmers take a photo of a diseased plant and receive instant treatment recommendations, reducing reliance on physical inspections and laboratory testing.
Farmers can also report flooding, drainage issues, and other agricultural challenges directly through the platform, while receiving updates on training programmes and ministry initiatives.
Mustapha said the digital shift complements other recent agricultural reforms, including the launch of a tissue culture laboratory that now produces over one million planting materials annually and the introduction of an insurance scheme that has already enrolled approximately 85 percent of rice farmers nationwide.
He underscored that agriculture remains a central pillar of Guyana’s development, even as the country expands its oil and gas sector.
“Agriculture has always been one of the main pillars of our national development,” Mustapha said. “You feed our people, you support our exports, and you strengthen our economy.”
