A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has called for a national agricultural transformation plan and an independent review of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), arguing that increased public spending has not delivered sufficient improvements in production, farmers’ livelihoods or food affordability.
In a statement issued on Friday to mark Agriculture Month, the opposition coalition pointed to the contraction in agriculture, forestry and fishing during the first half of 2026 and rising food prices as evidence that government must place greater emphasis on measurable results.
“APNU does not oppose these investments. We insist, however, that their effectiveness be measured by operational infrastructure, protected acreage, improved yields, farmers’ incomes and lower consumer prices—not the size of announcements,” the coalition stated.
Citing the government’s Mid-Year Report, APNU noted that agriculture, forestry and fishing contracted by 0.5 per cent during the first six months, even as the overall economy expanded by 33.3 per cent. The other-crops subsector declined by 6.4 per cent, including reductions in vegetables, spices, colecrops, and beans and cereals.
The coalition also highlighted the reduction in the sector’s projected annual growth from 7.6 per cent to 2.9 per cent, a 20.6 per cent decline in rice export earnings and a 6.7 per cent increase in food prices between December 2025 and June 2026.
Kiskadee Watch previously reported that the Mid-Year Report attributed food-price pressures to imported inflation, higher demand, retail mark-ups and unfavourable weather. Prolonged rainfall damaged crops, reduced yields and restricted access to farms. Government spent $40.8 billion of the $113.2 billion agriculture allocation during the first half.
APNU acknowledged that unusually heavy rainfall had presented a genuine challenge but argued that planning must account for both flooding and drought.
“Climate change and extreme weather are no longer unforeseen emergencies. They are realities for which a responsible government must plan,” it stated.
The coalition said farmers continued to report flooding, inadequate irrigation, poor access roads and insufficient infrastructure maintenance despite substantial expenditure on drainage and irrigation.
It proposed a programme centred on food affordability, climate resilience, agricultural research, export development, farmer financing and transparent governance.
Among its recommendations were improved water storage, climate-resilient crop varieties, stronger soil management, cold storage, reliable shipping, food-safety certification and measures to reduce losses between farms and consumers.
APNU also called for affordable agricultural credit, crop insurance, secure access to land and targeted support for small farmers, women, young entrepreneurs and hinterland communities. It urged sustained funding for research and extension services through institutions including NAREI, the Guyana Rice Development Board, the University of Guyana and the Guyana School of Agriculture.
The financing proposal comes against a decline in outstanding agricultural credit. Kiskadee Watch reported, citing the Bank of Guyana’s Half-Year Report, that agricultural lending fell by 3.1 per cent between December and June, while total private-sector credit increased by 11.5 per cent.
On sugar, APNU called for an independent operational and financial review, professional management appointments, enforceable performance targets and phased diversification that protects workers and sugar-dependent communities.
The coalition noted that the annual sugar production target had been reduced from 100,000 tonnes to 70,401 tonnes after first-crop production of 19,031 tonnes.
Although first-half sugar output increased over the corresponding period last year, production was affected by heavy rainfall, labour shortages and poor cane quality, according to the Mid-Year Report, previously examined by Kiskadee Watch.
APNU said reports of sugar wastage at Uitvlugt, concerns about estate management and workplace conditions, and allegations of conflicts of interest warranted independent investigation. The statement did not provide supporting records or identify the individuals involved in the alleged conflicts.
GuySuCo’s labour relations have also come under scrutiny. In January, workers at Uitvlugt struck over unpaid retroactive wages and staffing concerns. GuySuCo subsequently announced that the dispute had been resolved and acknowledged that the retroactive payments had not been included in December wages because funds were unavailable.
APNU said its proposed restructuring would retain sugar cultivation while examining commercially viable opportunities in agro-processing, aquaculture, food crops, manufacturing and appropriate housing development. Ethanol, livestock feed, bagasse products and electricity cogeneration should also be assessed, it said.
The coalition argued that oil revenues should help build a competitive non-oil economy and called for the agricultural plan to be developed in consultation with farmers, researchers, industry professionals and workers.
“Agriculture Month must be about more than celebrating potential. It must be about delivering results,” APNU stated.
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