In a major stride towards securing the livelihoods of rice farmers across Guyana, President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Tuesday officially launched Guyana’s first-ever crop insurance programme for rice farmers, marking a historic milestone in the country’s agriculture sector.
The launch, held at the Anna Regina Secondary School, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), saw the announcement of free agricultural insurance coverage for 6,000 rice farmers across Guyana, particularly those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
The coverage will span an initial three-year period, completely free of cost to the farmers.
“For years we have talked about crop insurance, but little traction was made until now. That is what makes today so historic. This programme is not just relief, it is a lifeline,” President Ali said.
He emphasised that the crop insurance programme is a result of a unique partnership between the Government of Guyana, UPL Costa Rica, and Philip Morris International (PMI).
“This agreement among the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), UPL, and PMI has resulted in a product that will support rice farmers who are most exposed to climate risks…What you’re getting today, farmers around the world are longing for. But you can lose all of this in the blink of an eye if you do not do what is right for your families, your communities, your country,” the Head of State said.
President Ali acknowledged that the increasing threats of floods, droughts, and other external shocks have pushed many farmers to the brink, with little to no protection against total crop loss.
“We all know the pain associated with crop failure. We’ve seen it with floods, with pest infestation, with erratic weather and we’ve seen what it does to your finances and to your ability to recover. This insurance is here to break that cycle,” he said.
He singled out communities like Hampton Court, Devonshire Castle, and Walton Hall in Region Two, whose farmers have frequently suffered from flooding and harvest loss.
“To those farmers, this programme is not a promise it is a guarantee. It is the protection you deserve,” the President declared.
The crop insurance initiative is part of the government’s broader agricultural vision, which President Ali described as climate-smart, technology-driven, and people-focused.
“We’re not building this food sector halfway. We’re going all in investing in research, in drone technology, in high-yielding rice varieties, and now in comprehensive risk management tools like crop insurance,” he asserted.
President Ali challenged the banking sector to take note of the reduced risk this insurance brings, and to lower lending costs for farmers accordingly.
“With this insurance, the risk is reduced. And the cost of lending to farmers must reduce. That is non-negotiable. No more 7 to 8% interest. Our farmers must be able to borrow at three-to-five percent and the government will subsidise the rest, to zero percent,” he stated.
President Ali used the launch to outline his government’s consistent support for the rice industry over the past four years which includes the removal of VAT on fuel, agrochemicals, machinery, and equipment, the $1.5 billion settlement with Panama to recover payments to Guyanese farmers, $3.6 billion in support for fertiliser, flood relief, and seed quality, $2 billion planned for 2025 in continued fertiliser assistance and the construction of 9 drying floors in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
He also pointed to the new GRDB varieties yielding up to 9 tons per hectare and free ferry transportation of paddy for hundreds of farmers in Region Two.
“These are not just policies. They are real investments in your lives and communities. This is what a government that cares looks like,” he told the crowd.
Looking ahead, President Ali spoke about plans to implement a pilot of innovative rice farming systems, including modern drone technology and eco-friendly practices to protect the environment.
“By the first crop of 2026, we want complete drone application from fertilization to pesticide spraying. And we’re going to support the farmers by grouping them into clusters, giving them the tools and logistics to reduce costs and increase returns,” he explained.
He added that UPL and PMI would work closely with GRDB and the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure farmers benefit from smart infrastructure, shared equipment, and supply chain optimisation.
“It makes no sense for 100 farmers to all drive to Georgetown to buy the same inputs. We will bring the system to you…You’ve seen the difference. You’ve felt the results. You know who is standing by you in good times and in hard times,” he said
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