Rice production increases despite El Niño weather conditions in Guyana

Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, reported that the country’s rice production increased during 2023 and exceeded established targets despite the weather conditions associated with the El Niño phenomenon. Speaking at an event hosted by the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), the minister attributed this performance to measures implemented to strengthen sector productivity, including the development and introduction of new rice varieties, among them a zinc-biofortified variety, as well as research, innovation, and technological improvement initiatives. The experience highlights the adaptive capacity and resilience of Guyana’s rice sector under adverse climatic conditions and reinforces the country’s position as a regional leader in rice production.