Guyana advances bold agriculture export vision as regional food security hangs in the balance
President Irfaan Ali has called on the Caribbean region to take decisive steps to protect against foot-and-mouth disease, warning that a single outbreak could devastate food security, rural livelihoods and trade across Latin America and the Caribbean.
The President made the call while addressing the 52nd Ordinary Meeting of the South American Commission for the Fight Against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (COSALFA), which is being held in Guyana. He stressed that the region cannot afford any disruptions to its food ecosystems.
“We are acutely aware that a single outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease can devastate food security, rural livelihoods, and trade across Latin America and the Caribbean. Vigilance as a result is not optional — it is survival. And yet vigilance alone is insufficient. We must build systems that are proactive, interconnected and resilient to shocks both biological and geopolitical,” President Ali said.
Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious illness affecting livestock including cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, and poses a significant threat to agricultural economies.
President Ali noted that while Guyana remains free from animal diseases, animal health security has become inseparable from regional food security. He outlined Guyana’s broader ambition to become a net exporter of safe, high-quality agricultural products within the current decade.
“Guyana has embraced a bold and decisive vision to become a net exporter of safe, high quality agriculture products within this decade. We are advancing the 2025 + 5 initiative — a strategic framework to accelerate agriculture transformation, reduce import dependency and build genuine food sovereignty across CARICOM,” the President stated.
He further emphasised that the region must move beyond simply expanding market access and focus on increasing production and productivity across livestock, crops and aquaculture. With over US$650 million in opportunities being developed in meat, poultry and related sectors, the President said the assurance of a disease-free region is critical to realising those investments.
“As we scale up production of meat, poultry and meat with over US$650 million in opportunities, we rely on the assurance that our region remains protected from transboundary animal diseases. It is hoped that the 2026–2030 action plan to be implemented will give us that assurance,” he said.
Guyana currently holds the CARICOM responsibility for agriculture, positioning the country as a key driver of the region’s food security agenda.
