Mustapha looks to Dominican Republic partnership to scale up mango, avocado production

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha is looking to the Dominican Republic to help Guyana take its fruit production to the next level, following a meeting with his counterpart in that country.

According to the minister, the groundwork was laid for a wide-ranging agricultural partnership. He said the discussions covered several areas where the Dominican Republic could lend expertise and help build local capacity, with crop development emerging as a key focus.

“There are a number of other areas that Guyanese can and will be benefiting from,” he said.

According to Mustapha, crops like mango and avocado are priorities for large-scale expansion. The Dominican Republic’s track record in mango production alone provides confidence in their ability to support Guyana.

“The Dominican Republic today around 20,000 persons in mango production,” Mustapha said.

Mustapha said Guyana has the potential to mirror this if given the right support and expertise.

Avocado was also highlighted as a crop with significant untapped potential. While Guyana is already producing it, the minister acknowledged that cultivation remains small-scale and that the partnership is aimed at changing that.

To get things moving, the Dominican Republic’s agriculture minister agreed to send two or three experts to Guyana to work directly with local farmers. Mustapha said farmers with available land can expect to receive both planting material and the technical capacity needed to expand production.

“Guyanese farmers will be benefiting tremendously,” he said.

The minister expressed optimism that the collaboration would be up and running before the end of September, 2026.