Guyana to launch national agriculture app as digital data center nears completion

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said Guyana will launch a national mobile application within the coming week that will provide farmers with real-time crop, soil, weather and market data. The platform will consolidate research from the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute, detailed soil mapping and localized crop recommendations, allowing producers to make planting decisions based on geographic conditions and market demand.

The app is part of a broader digital overhaul of the agriculture and fisheries sectors. Mustapha said a regional agriculture data center, now about 75% complete, is expected to be commissioned by March and will serve not only Guyana but the wider Caribbean. He noted that a similar facility operates in Costa Rica at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture. The center is expected to deliver real-time weather intelligence and crop suitability data across multiple countries.

The digital push also extends to fisheries. More than 500 fishing vessels have been equipped with tracking devices to improve safety at sea, enabling authorities to monitor boats and respond quickly in emergencies. The ministry is also preparing to roll out a fisheries digital platform by the end of March to connect landing sites nationwide, alongside training programs aimed at helping farmers and fisherfolk adopt the new technologies. Funding for the initiatives has been allocated in the national budget, with procurement processes underway.