Guyana, Dominican Republic partner to expand mango and avocado production
Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, alongside the Dominican Republic official delegation
Key Points(5)
- Guyana and the Dominican Republic are moving to strengthen agricultural cooperation, with plans to develop large-scale mango and avocado production while boosting technical support and training for local farmers.
- The initiative emerged from discussions between Guyana's Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and Dominican Agriculture Minister Francisco Oliverio Espaillat Bencosme during Mustapha's recent visit to the Dominican Republic.
- According to Mustapha, the talks focused on expanding agricultural production, improving technical capacity and promoting crop diversification in Guyana.
- Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Monday, the agriculture minister said the partnership is expected to create new opportunities for farmers and support the government's efforts to modernize and expand the sector.
- "Guyanese farmers will be benefitting tremendously," Mustapha said.
Guyana and the Dominican Republic are moving to strengthen agricultural cooperation, with plans to develop large-scale mango and avocado production while boosting technical support and training for local farmers.
The initiative emerged from discussions between Guyana's Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and Dominican Agriculture Minister Francisco Oliverio Espaillat Bencosme during Mustapha's recent visit to the Dominican Republic.
According to Mustapha, the talks focused on expanding agricultural production, improving technical capacity and promoting crop diversification in Guyana.
Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Monday, the agriculture minister said the partnership is expected to create new opportunities for farmers and support the government's efforts to modernize and expand the sector.
"Guyanese farmers will be benefitting tremendously," Mustapha said. "What we are doing is ensuring that farmers are supported to go into these activities. We can provide the planting material, the necessary capacity building and get them involved in these productions."
A key outcome of the discussions was an agreement to pursue large-scale cultivation of mangoes and avocados in Guyana, building on existing production while creating new commercial opportunities.
Mustapha said discussions with former Dominican President Hipólito Mejía have helped advance plans to establish a large-scale mango industry in Guyana.
"I am hoping by the end of September we can start that," Mustapha said. "The DR today employs approximately 20,000 persons in their mango industry and we are hoping that we can also start that large-scale production."
While mangoes and avocados are already grown in Guyana, the minister noted that cultivation remains relatively small-scale. Through the new partnership, farmers interested in expanding production will receive access to planting materials, technical assistance and specialized training.
As part of the agreement, the Dominican Republic will also send agricultural experts to Guyana to work alongside local technical officers and farmers. The specialists are expected to provide guidance on crop development, capacity building and the systems needed to support commercial-scale production.
The collaboration forms part of Guyana's broader strategy to strengthen agricultural productivity, diversify crop production and create new economic opportunities for farmers across the country.
