The Ministry of Agriculture is introducing a weekly farmers’ market at Sophia Market starting Wednesday, giving consumers access to affordable produce while helping farmers earn more from their crops.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha announced the initiative at the launch of Agriculture Month 2026 being held under the theme “Innovate, Nourish, Grow. Building a sustainable Guyana”.

He said the market would operate every Wednesday, alongside monthly farmers’ markets in various regions.

The initiative follows instructions from President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and commitments in the PPP/C’s manifesto.

“You are invited to go there, and you will have very cheap products,” the agriculture minister said.

He said the markets will help address concerns that farmers were not receiving a fair return for the time and effort they invested in food production.

“Farmers are early in the field, and late in the evening they are still in the field. But sometimes they are not getting the kind of reward that they have to get. We must now allow the farmers to get their benefit, get their reward,” he said.

The markets form part of a wider programme of activities for Agriculture Month, which will give citizens opportunities to engage directly with farmers and other participants in the sector.

The programme includes the inaugural Farmers’ Conference, the annual Honeyfest and World Food Day activities.

Minister Mustapha said the observances should reinforce efforts to build an agricultural sector that can withstand challenges, compete effectively and provide opportunities for a wider range of producers.

He called for continued collaboration to improve farmers’ livelihoods, strengthen communities and support Guyana’s contribution to regional food and nutrition security.

“The future of Guyana’s agriculture is filled with tremendous opportunities. Let us work together to seize these opportunities,” the minister said.