Govt to purchase all livestock produced on Leguan Island – Pres. Ali

The Government of Guyana has guaranteed a ready market for livestock farmers on Leguan Island, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), with President Dr Irfaan Ali announcing that the State will purchase all available livestock from farmers as part of a broader push to expand agriculture, improve drainage, and transform livelihoods on the island.

For decades, farmers on Leguan have complained of limited access to reliable markets, particularly for cattle, sheep and goats, due to transportation constraints and the cost of moving animals off the island. The new guarantee removes that uncertainty by ensuring a ready buyer for farmers’ animals through state-supported mechanisms.

Addressing residents during a community engagement on Thursday, President Ali said the Ministry of Agriculture has been instructed to dispatch a team to Leguan as early as next week to buy cattle directly from farmers – removing longstanding challenges related to transportation and market access.

He noted that the intervention comes amid a national shortage of beef and is intended to give farmers immediate relief while encouraging expanded production.

The President explained that the arrangement will not be a one-off exercise, but will become a monthly programme, ensuring farmers have a guaranteed market for their animals.

Agriculture for economic growth

Under the arrangement, livestock reared on Leguan will be purchased to supply national feeding programmes, including school feeding initiatives, hospitals, and other public institutions, while also supporting agro-processing and value-added initiatives.

Going further, Ali outlined plans for co-investment between the Government and farmers to expand cattle, sheep, and goat production on the island.

In addition, to access $3 million in loans through the Development Bank, farmers will benefit from direct Government participation aimed at rapidly growing the livestock industry.

“The market is growing, and we want your island to play an important role in that market,” the President told residents.

This approach will not only provide immediate income security for farmers, but will also encourage expansion in livestock rearing on the island, creating spin-off benefits such as employment, feed production, and transportation services.

Leguan’s flat terrain and available grazing lands have long been identified as suitable for livestock development, but inconsistent demand and logistical hurdles slowed growth. With the new guarantee, authorities expect farmers to scale up operations, confident that their animals will be sold at fair prices.

Residents were told that the Government intends to deepen its investment in Leguan, using agriculture as a central pillar of economic growth.

While the livestock purchase guarantee took centre stage, officials stressed that it forms part of a broader, integrated development plan for Leguan’s agricultural sector.

Plans include expanded drainage and irrigation works to support crop cultivation, improved farm-to-market access, and technical support for farmers to increase productivity. The Government also signalled continued assistance with inputs and extension services to help farmers diversify into crops suited to the island’s soil and climate.

Part of wider investments

Meanwhile, as part of wider agriculture investments, President Ali announced major drainage and irrigation works aimed at boosting rice production on the island.

According to the President, a new canal system will be developed to serve both the eastern and western sections of Leguan, providing drainage and water storage for approximately 13,000 acres of rice land, some of which are currently uncultivated due to limited access to water.

He said the Drainage and Irrigation Authority will construct 4.3 kilometres of drainage, along with one main intake and 25 intermediate structures, beginning after the presentation of Budget 2026.

To support the works, the Government has assigned four excavators and one mini-excavator to the island, with an additional mini-excavator scheduled to be delivered before the end of the year to assist with interlocking drains.

President Ali reminded residents that Leguan has benefitted from nearly $2 billion in investments over the past five years, including improvements in water supply, agriculture, and flood control.

He highlighted the construction of a new water treatment plant, the expansion of water coverage to every household, and improvements in water quality, with treated water expected to be delivered soon.

The President said these investments have contributed to rising land and property values on the island, driven by renewed confidence and sustained development.

Ali also announced that electricity costs on Leguan are expected to decline significantly after Budget 2026, following investments in solar energy systems for the island.