Dear Editor,
The recent celebration at a private sector awards gala hailing Guyana’s agricultural transformation, showering glowing tribute and accolades to Minister Mustapha, conveniently omitted a crucial figure: $104.6 billion. That is the monumental budget allocated to the sector in 2025. A much closer look would reveal “results against this rhetoric” With such historic investment, the expectation is not merely for progress, but for the resolution of systemic crises. Yet, the painful reality for farmers and consumers persists, revealing a stark gap between financial input and tangible, equitable outcomes.
Let’s measure the proclaimed “results” against this investment:
A significant portion of this budget continues to fund the bleeding wound that is the national sugar corporation. Pouring public funds into a third set of foreign consultants, without a clear turnaround plan, is not a strategy—it is fiscal negligence. For $13.3B budget allocation Guyanese deserve a viable sugar industry, not a perpetual consultancy fee.
While the ministry operates on a colossal budget with $430.9m, in allocations and subsidies totaling $4.7B to the sector, rice farmers remain at the mercy of unfair miller pricing, with their protests met by ministerial buck-passing. If such a budget cannot establish a fair pricing mechanism and proper drainage and irrigation to prevent “underwater” crops, then where is the money truly going?
With $1.7 billion in livestock allocation and the crucial funding for feedstock production (corn and soya) is an additional $967.8 million, a resilient, well-funded agricultural sector should prioritise achieving self-sufficiency in protein. Yet, we saw prices soar and production lapsed. Resulting in the continued importation of meat and eggs. This indicates a failure in strategic allocation within that $104.6B budget to build a competitive livestock and aquaculture sector that meets local protein demand.
A food secure nation is one where its people can afford to eat. Skyrocketing prices for local produce betray the narrative of success. Budgets must translate to lower costs through efficient logistics, anti-speculation measures, and direct support for increased productivity that benefits the consumer, not just the middleman.
A total of $73.2 billion was allocated in the 2025 National Budget to continue the upgrade and expansion of the country’s D&I infrastructure. Yet still chronic flooding, within the ministry’s mandate, continues to wipe out gains. One must ask: with over $73 billion dollars, where is the comprehensive, engineered flood mitigation and drainage infrastructure to protect our homes, food supply and farmers’ livelihoods?
Conclusion: Accounting for the Billions
Editor true leadership is measured not by the size of the budget, but by the wisdom of its application and the resolution of long-standing problems. A $104.6B budget must deliver more than “stronger systems”—it must deliver justice for rice farmers, viability for sugar, affordability for consumers, and true resilience against floods.
The people of Guyana are not seeing a $104.6B transformation on their plates or in their pockets. It is time to demand a transparent accounting of this historic investment—one that moves beyond rhetoric and delivers equitable results for all. We strongly advocate for focusing on verifiable facts, evidence-based policy, and measurable impacts to achieve genuine progress over empty promises or divisive appeals. We call for fiscal accountability and tangible returns on every dollar spent, not awards and accolades for incompetence. Our citizens deserve better for the service they are paying for.