Data or statistical facts on the situation and perspectives of agri-food systems and the impact of policies
The National Climate Change Committee (NCCC) serves as Guyana's principal consultative body on climate change, providing scientific, technical and institutional guidance to the Office of Climate Change (OCC). The Committee comprises an indicative membership of 32 representatives from government, academia, non-governmental organisations, Indigenous peoples and the private sector.
The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) trains and equips community volunteers to support mangrove protection and restoration activities. The programme promotes environmental stewardship while supporting sustainable livelihoods through activities such as beekeeping and ecotourism, helping reduce pressure on mangrove ecosystems.
70% of new United States investment in Latin America since 2003 was concentrated in Brazil, Mexico and Guyana; in 2025 Mexico received US$7.98 billion and Brazil US$6.49 billion.
In recent weeks, the sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly in the Niño 3.4 region has been close to +0.9 °C, indicating an El Niño phase. During El Niño, Guyana experiences below-average rainfall and above-average temperatures. (Guyana Hydrometeorological Survey, 2026).
In recent weeks, the sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly in the Niño 3.4 region was close to +0.5 °C, that is, at the limit of the El Niño phase. (Guyana Hydrometeorological Survey, 2026).
ENSO conditions are expected to remain neutral in Guyana, with a 55% probability of persistence through the season. (Hydrometeorigical Service of Guyana, 2026).
Weak La Niña conditions are likely with 60% probability that neutral conditions will prevail during the March–May 2026 season. (Guyana Hydrometeorological Survey, 2026).
More than 50% of Region 5 is exposed to flood risk, including 29% of its populated and agricultural land. Flood risk is high across Guyana's coastal regions (Regions 1–6) due to the presence of major rivers, while hinterland regions (7–10) are primarily affected by droughts, wildfires and seasonal flooding associated with variable rainfall and limited water-storage infrastructure.
In 2023, Guyana's agriculture, forestry and fishing sector contributed 11.3% of GDP, compared with the Latin America and Caribbean average of 12.6%. Despite its economic importance, the sector faces declining soil health, salinity, climate-induced flooding, rising fertilizer costs and widespread open burning of rice straw, affecting livelihoods, environmental quality and food security.
Modernized drainage and irrigation (D&I) systems play a key role in reducing climate risk and supporting climate-resilient development in Guyana. According to FAO (2025), D&I systems help revitalize croplands, stabilize soil moisture, support multiple cropping and enable diversification into higher-value crops, contributing to improved food availability while reducing pressure on forests, wetlands...
