63 construction of aquaculture ponds completed to date

Guyana’s aquaculture industry will, in the coming years, see a major boost as the government
works towards transforming this very critical part of the agriculture sector. This is according to
the Agriculture Ministry who indicated that these transformative efforts have already begun as
the government, through the ministry, recently embarked on a project aimed at doubling the
production of brackish water shrimp from 250,000 kilograms to 500,000 kilograms by 2025.
The Fisheries Department, with assistance from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority
(NDIA), has commenced the construction of 74 ponds for the rearing of brackish water shrimp.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha pointed out while giving an update on the project, that
approximately 85% of the ponds identified for phase one of the project have been completed.
“To date, we’ve been able to complete construction of 63 ponds as part of phase one. The other
11 ponds are about 85% complete. For phase one we are constructing 74. Persons have since
engaged us and we are looking at assisting them with ponds to increase their production as part
of the second phase of the project. We are doing the earthworks and installation of tubes to assist
with providing sufficient water supply to the ponds. Currently, there are three machines working
at different locations to complete these works as soon as possible,” Mustapha said.
The minister noted that earlier in the year, while discussing Guyana’s aquaculture potential, he
had highlighted that Guyana has all the resources necessary to develop a thriving aquaculture
sector. “Aquaculture in Guyana shows strong potential since the country has relatively large
acres of flat lands with suitable soil types and access to large quantities and good quality
freshwater (water conservancies)… more so, there are existing drainage and irrigation
infrastructure in some areas, sub-tropical temperatures for shrimp and fish production and good
availability of agricultural, more specifically fisheries by-products for the formulation and
manufacturing of aquafeed,” Mustapha said.
He stressed that the government, through its updated inland and aquaculture strategy, 2021-2026,
has outlined its plans to address the challenges plaguing the aquaculture industry while creating
an enabling and sustainable environment for investments. He added that plans to develop a
project for aquaculture zoning both on land and in water also form part of the government’s
vision for the sector. The zoning of lands for aquaculture would allow investors to easily identify
and access land.