Guyana expands cage fish farming to 43 communities

Guyana’s cage fish farming programme has expanded to 43 communities, with a significant presence in hinterland and Indigenous regions. The initiative has grown beyond its initial pilot sites in Region Two, which included Mainstay, Mashabo, and Lake Capoey.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha stated that the programme aims to transform communities into commodity producers rather than dependents. Under the government initiative, participating villages receive cages, fingerlings, feed, and technical training from the Fisheries Department. The New Guyana Marketing Corporation also assists in connecting producers with buyers.

Official estimates suggest a single cage can generate approximately G$8 million in a production cycle. For villages operating multiple cages, this could add between G$24 million and G$25 million to the local economy. Current operating sites include Rockstone, Shulinab, Nappi, Orealla, Siparuta, and St Cuthbert’s Mission.