Agriculture Minister Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha today handed over approximately G$60 million in vehicles to the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) to strengthen its extension services and enhance national surveillance, monitoring and control of the Carambola Fruit Fly (CFF).

The fleet comprises five pickup trucks, six All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and 12 motorcycles and was procured under the Agricultural Infrastructure Development Programme (AIDP), for which the Cooperative Republic of Guyana received financing from the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF).

During the handing-over exercise, Minister Mustapha underscored NAREI’s critical role in supporting the development and modernisation of Guyana’s agriculture sector through research, extension and technical support to farmers.

“NAREI is the premier research institution in this country. We have been ensuring that NAREI has the facilities and is well equipped to provide the necessary guidance and services as we advance our food security efforts,” Minister Mustapha said.

He noted that strengthening institutions such as NAREI forms part of the Government’s wider food-security agenda and its efforts to position Guyana as a major agricultural producer within the Caribbean.

“Our President, as you know, is placing a lot of emphasis on food security, not only at the local level, but also at the regional level. We want Guyana to be the premier food producer in CARICOM, and we are moving aggressively in those efforts,” he said.

Minister Mustapha pointed to the significant increase in public investment in agriculture over the years, noting that the sector’s budget has grown from approximately G$18 billion to G$113 billion in 2026. He said these investments are geared towards providing the infrastructure, equipment, technology and other resources necessary to improve productivity and strengthen the services available to farmers.

He also reminded NAREI’s employees of the important responsibility they have in ensuring that the Government’s policies and programmes are effectively implemented.

“As employees of this institution, you play a very important role. You are tasked with the responsibility of executing the Government’s policies, and this is why we are working to provide, as best we can, the necessary facilities,” he said.

Minister Mustapha also urged staff to safeguard the new vehicles and ensure they are used strictly for their intended purposes.

“I urge that you use them in the best interest of the country and for their intended purposes. Let’s not abuse these very critical assets,” he added.

The investment will significantly improve the mobility of NAREI’s technical and extension personnel, particularly in farming communities and areas where access can be challenging. A major focus will be the strengthening of Guyana’s national CFF surveillance network, allowing officers to conduct regular trapping, monitoring and field inspections, particularly in major fruit-producing areas.

The Carambola Fruit Fly Programme is a national initiative aimed at preventing the establishment and spread of the destructive pest. Effective surveillance, early detection and rapid intervention are critical to protecting Guyana’s expanding fruit industry and supporting the country’s efforts to achieve pest-free status and safeguard access to export markets.

The additional transportation will also strengthen NAREI’s engagement with farmers and communities through extension visits, farmer education and public awareness, while allowing officers to respond more effectively to agricultural issues in the field.

Through continued investments in research, extension, infrastructure, technology and institutional capacity, the Government is working to ensure that agencies such as NAREI are adequately equipped to execute their mandates while protecting farmers’ livelihoods, food security, agricultural production and Guyana’s expanding agricultural trade.