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Agriculture Month 2026 launched with focus on innovation, sustainability

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Agriculture Month 2026 was on Wednesday officially launched under the theme “Innovate, Nourish, Grow: Building a Strong and Sustainable Guyana,” which reflects the transformation taking place across Guyana’s agriculture sector.

During his address at the launch, Subject Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha said farmers across the country are increasingly embracing science, technology, research, mechanisation, digital agriculture and climate-smart production systems.

The growing use of drones, sensors, precision irrigation and digital platforms such as the Farmers Connect app, he noted, demonstrates how technology is becoming an integral part of agricultural production and service delivery.

He also highlighted the important role agriculture continues to play in ensuring Guyanese have access to safe, affordable, nutritious and reliable supplies of food, while strengthening the country’s food sovereignty and its leadership in regional food and nutrition security.

Further, the minister noted that Guyana’s progress in this area has also been recognised internationally, with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) identifying Guyana as one of only four countries in Latin America and the Caribbean with a prevalence of hunger and undernourishment below 2.5 percent.

Agriculture Month 2026 will provide opportunities for citizens across the country to engage directly with the sector through a packed calendar of activities.

These will include farmers’ markets, the inaugural Farmers’ Conference, the Annual Honey Fest, World Food Day activities and several other events showcasing the achievements and continued development of the sector.

Mustapha said these activities will provide important platforms for knowledge sharing, strengthening market linkages and showcasing the work of the country’s farmers, fisherfolk, livestock producers, agro-processors and other stakeholders who continue to contribute to Guyana’s agricultural development.

As Agriculture Month gets underway, the observance will celebrate the progress made across the sector while highlighting the innovation, technology and investments that are helping to build a stronger and more sustainable Guyana.

 


Source: INews Guyana

Linden man gets 21 years in jail for gunning down ex-girlfriend at wedding reception

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Linden man gets 21 years in jail for gunning down ex-girlfriend at wedding reception

One year after he was charged for the brutal shooting death of his ex-girlfriend, a Linden construction worker was today sentenced to 21 years in prison for the crime.

22-year-old Shaka Phillips appeared at the High Court this morning before Justice Prescilla Chandra-Hanif where he was sentenced to 21 years in jail for the July 2025 murder of school teacher, Jenel Pollydore.

Phillips had pleaded guilty to the crime when he appeared in Court for trial back in August.

Phillips and the school teacher, Jenel Pollydore, shared a relationship but after the two separated, the woman repeatedly complained about the man making threats against her, even during her pregnancy with their child. The woman was murdered four months after giving birth.

The murder took place at a wedding reception that Pollydore was attending with family and friends. According to reports, moments after she walked out from the reception hall into the yard of the facility, her assailant appeared and opened fire on her after chasing her down.

The brutal murder shocked family members and attendees at the wedding. The murderer was arrested after he was found hiding out in a section of Linden following his brutal act.























































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Source: News Source Guyana

Guyana, Greece ink air services agreement

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Guyana entered into an Air Services Agreement with the Hellenic Republic (Greece) on Wednesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown at the sidelines of the ongoing aviation safety forum.

Public Utilities and Aviation Minister, Deodat Indar and Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic of Greece to Guyana, His Excellency Theodore N. Tsakiris signed the agreement. Technical-level negotiations and the initialling of the agreement were completed on December 3, 2019, in Aqaba, Jordan.

The agreement encompasses standard provisions pertaining to the Grant of Rights, Designations and Authorisations, Applicability of Laws and Regulations, Commercial Opportunities, Tariffs, Recognition of Certificates and Licences, Aviation Safety and Security, and User Charges, among other relevant areas.

Currently, there are no direct flights between Guyana and Greece. This agreement facilitates airlines’ access to both markets, promoting competitive air transport services, trade, and economic development for both nations. Guyana and Greece established diplomatic relations on May 14, 1979, marking the beginning of a longstanding partnership.

 


Source: INews Guyana

‘Concrete man’ gets 21 years for fatal shooting of former girlfriend

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Twenty-two-year-old Shaka Phillips was on Wednesday sentenced to 21 years imprisonment for the murder of former girlfriend, Jenel Pollydore, at a wedding reception in Linden last year.

Back in August, Phillips also known as “Concrete Man”, pleaded guilty to murdering Pollydore in 2025 and the sentence was imposed by High Court judge, Justice Priscilla Chandra-Hanif.

Ahead of the sentencing hearing, Justice Chandra-Hanif had ordered the preparation and submission of several reports to assist the court in determining an appropriate sentence. These included a psychiatric evaluation, a report on Phillips’ conduct while in prison, a probation report, and assessments outlining the aggravating and mitigating factors in the case.

Pollydore, 26, a mother of three from Lower Kara Kara, Linden, was killed on July 19, 2025, while attending a wedding reception at the R&R Hotel in Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

It was reported that Phillips, who is the father of Pollydore’s youngest child, approached her during the reception after confronting her about allegedly not answering his telephone calls.

The encounter reportedly escalated into an argument, during which Phillips allegedly pulled a handgun and shot Pollydore. Police said Pollydore ran towards the hotel’s pool area in an attempt to escape, but Phillips followed her and fired two more shots.

He then reportedly fled the area.

When Police arrived at the hotel, they found Pollydore motionless near the pool. She had sustained gunshot wounds to the right side of her face and the back of her head.

Two spent 9mm shells were recovered from the scene as investigators processed the area. Pollydore was taken to the Linden Hospital Complex, where medical personnel pronounced her dead. Phillips was arrested the following day and subsequently charged with murder.

Before the matter reached the High Court, Phillips appeared before Magistrate Rondel Weever at the Linden Magistrate’s Court, where the indictable murder charge was read to him. He was not required to plead to the charge and was remanded to prison.

Police subsequently disclosed that Pollydore had ended her relationship with Phillips and had previously obtained a restraining order against him following alleged incidents of domestic abuse.

Despite a restraining order and ongoing complaints, Phillips reportedly continued to stalk Pollydore, showing up at her workplace, home, and other locations.

 

 


Source: INews Guyana

Technology driving agricultural expansion in Guyana – Min Mustapha

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Technology driving agricultural expansion in Guyana – Min Mustapha

─Agriculture Month 2026 officially launched

Guyana is expanding the use of technology in agriculture to help farmers increase production, access services and respond to climate change.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha made the remark during the official launch of Agriculture Month 2026, being held under the theme “Innovate, Nourish, Grow. Building a Sustainable Guyana.”

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha

He pointed to the growing use of drones, precision irrigation and digital applications as part of efforts to strengthen food security.

“Our farmers are innovating by embracing science, technology, research, mechanisation, digital agriculture, and climate smart production,” he said.

He further highlighted the ministry’s application portal which allows farmers in remote communities to access services without travelling to Georgetown.

The minister said farmers in Regions One, Nine and Ten could use the platform to maintain regular contact with the ministry, helping to extend support to producers across the country.

“That is the way we are moving agriculture to ensure that we capture everyone, bring everyone into focus so that we can produce together,” he said.

He added that innovation was also helping Guyana build a more reliable supply of safe, affordable and nutritious food while strengthening its contribution to regional food security.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha inspecting the newly commissioned agro-processing plant in Canal Number One Polder

As a result, he attributed the growth to President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s leadership, particularly with renewing the country’s agricultural role within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Regional leaders are working together towards reducing the Caribbean’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2030.

He also cited Food and Agriculture Organisation figures which, he said, placed Guyana among four countries in Latin America and the Caribbean with undernourishment prevalence below 2.5 per cent.

Additionally, women and young people are playing an increasingly significant role in the sector’s expansion.

Guyana invested heavily in increasing youth involvement in agriculture

The agriculture minister said the ministry had exceeded a presidential requirement for women and young people to account for at least 35 per cent of participants in its projects.

Agro-processing was a major area of women’s participation, with women accounting for almost 90 per cent of participants.

He said the sector was producing more than 4,000 products.

The minister also highlighted graduates of the Guyana School of Agriculture and the University of Guyana who were building livelihoods in farming and related businesses.

Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Vikash Ramkisson

Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Vikash Ramkisson, said continued innovation is necessary to address the challenges facing producers, particularly climate change.

“If we do not innovate, then we cannot do things to face the challenges that our sector is currently facing,” he said.

He stressed that increasing production must be accompanied by efforts to make nutritious food more affordable.

Meanwhile, the agriculture ministers reaffirmed the government’s commitment to support farmers and the growth of the agriculture sector.

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Source: Department of Public Information (DPI)

Guyana, Dominican Republic strengthen cooperation on sustainable aviation

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Guyana, Dominican Republic strengthen cooperation on sustainable aviation

Guyana and the Dominican Republic are deepening cooperation in civil aviation with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the Sustainability of Civil Aviation.

The agreement was signed by Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar, on behalf of the government of Guyana, and Mr. Miguel Mejía, Deputy Director of the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC), representing the Dominican Republic.

The MoU establishes a framework for the two countries to collaborate on matters related to the sustainable development of civil aviation, while strengthening the exchange of knowledge, experience and technical expertise between their aviation authorities.

Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar along with His Excellency Ernesto Torres Pereyra, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Guyana; Mr. Alfonso De Armas, Mr. Miguel Mejía, Deputy Director of the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC) and other officials at the forum

For Guyana, the agreement comes as the country continues to expand its aviation sector and strengthen the systems and partnerships needed to support increased connectivity and long-term growth.

Cooperation on aviation sustainability can also support the sharing of approaches to more efficient and environmentally responsible aviation operations, helping both countries respond to the evolving demands of the sector.

The partnership further creates opportunities for closer technical engagement between aviation institutions, including the sharing of expertise and best practices as both countries work to advance their civil aviation systems.

Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar handing over the first copy of the Guyana Ascends Conference Magazine to His excellency Ernesto Torres Pereyra, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Guyana

The signing also complements Guyana’s growing engagement with international aviation partners, particularly as the country hosts the Global Forum for Aviation Safety, bringing together aviation authorities and industry stakeholders from around the world.

The MoU was witnessed by His Excellency Ernesto Torres Pereyra, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Guyana; Mr. Alfonso De Armas, Director General of the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation; and the Ministry’s Parliamentary Secretary, Thandi McAllister.

The agreement marks another step in strengthening Guyana–Dominican Republic relations while advancing cooperation towards a more sustainable and resilient civil aviation sector.

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Source: Department of Public Information (DPI)