Manage water carefully – Agri Minister as El Niño conditions intensify

…Govt steps up support for farmers

As the effects of El Niño are expected to affect Guyana, farmers are set to receive direct assistance from the Government to help them cultivate crops and manage the anticipated conditions. Guyana is already experiencing strengthening El Niño conditions, which began intensifying around August 2026 and are forecast to persist through the remainder of the year and potentially into the first quarter of 2027.

Foreseeing the potential effects of the phenomenon, if not addressed early, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has urged farmers and other stakeholders to take early and practical steps to prepare for the potential impacts of El Niño conditions. Mustapha made the call while addressing farmers and stakeholders at the El Niño Preparedness Forum, held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown on Monday. The forum brought together farmers and other stakeholders to discuss preparedness and response measures while addressing other concerns as Guyana remains on alert for the potential impacts of El Niño conditions. The Guyana Hydrometeorological Service recently warned of an unprecedented surge in extreme heat, with up to 80 hot-spell days expected through 2026—nearly triple the historical average. Heat intensity typically peaks between mid-August and October. The El Niño phenomenon could have far-reaching implications for Guyana, affecting water availability, agricultural production, food prices and farmers’ incomes, while potentially having wider implications for global food security. However, Minister Mustapha stressed the need to approach the situation from a practical perspective rather than allowing the terminology surrounding El Niño to create fear about what lies ahead. According to Mustapha, early preparedness is key to mitigating the potential effects of El Niño, based on advice provided by the Hydrometeorological Service. “It is better that we start prepared early, because we were told by the Hydromet office that this phenomenon, this condition that we are experiencing, is expected to persist throughout the remainder of 2026, with a strong possibility of continuing into the first quarter of 2027. But we also have to recognise that today Guyana is better prepared. Over the years, we have seen Government invest heavily in drainage and irrigation, conservancies, pumps, canals, farm-to-market roads, reservoirs and agricultural services.”