President Dr. Irfaan Ali has urged a shift in focus from superficial social media interactions to meaningful nation-building, as he announced ambitious plans for offshore salmon farming in collaboration with Norway.
During a recent event, President Ali highlighted the essential yet often overlooked advancements in agriculture aimed at diversifying and bolstering Guyana’s food production. A recent report in Nature Food confirmed Guyana’s unique status among 186 analyzed countries, achieving complete self-sufficiency in food production across all seven key food groups: meat, fish, milk, grains, plant protein, fruits, and vegetables, eliminating the need for imports.
President Ali appointed Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha to initiate discussions with Norway on developing offshore salmon farming, including securing global certifications for Guyanese products.
“The vital work happening isn’t what grabs headlines or trends online,” he stated. “It’s about substantial progress.”
Although Guyana excels in seafood exports, primarily finfish, red snapper, prawns, and tuna, salmon production is still dominated by other regions, with Norway as the leading producer of farmed salmon.
The Guyanese government is fostering the growth of aquaculture and fisheries sectors with significant financial support, facilitating projects like shrimp hatcheries and prawn ponds. This strategic move toward salmon production aims to enhance employment opportunities and increase export potential, positioning these sectors as pivotal contributors to the national economy.
Source: guyanachronicle.com
