Out of 186 countries surveyed, Guyana stands alone as the only nation that produces enough food to fully meet the nutritional needs of its population without relying on imports, according to groundbreaking research published in Nature Food.
The study assessed national self-sufficiency across seven essential food groups: fruits, vegetables, dairy, fish, meat, plant-based protein, and starchy staples. While 65% of countries were found to overproduce meat and dairy—often at the expense of balance—only Guyana was self-sufficient in all seven categories. China and Vietnam came close, each achieving sufficiency in six.
Despite this remarkable agricultural achievement, the paradox is stark: nearly half of Guyana’s population lives in poverty and struggles to afford basic food. The country’s ability to feed itself, a legacy of the 1970s “Feed, Clothe and House” initiative under then-President Forbes Burnham, has not translated into food security for all. According to a recent World Bank report, at least 48% of Guyanese live on less than US$5.50 (GY$1,200) per day—placing the country among the highest poverty rates in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The crisis is particularly severe among children. A UNICEF Report revealed that 20% of children in Guyana suffer from “severe food poverty,” meaning they consume food from no more than two groups per day. An additional 40% are in “moderate food poverty,” receiving just half the recommended daily nutrition.
Every week, Stabroek News documents stories from across the country in its “How the High Cost of Living Is Affecting People” series. The testimonies are sobering accounts of how rapidly rising food prices are squeezing household budgets and deepening hardship.
“A couple months back, a pound of garlic cost $200; now a pound of garlic costs $400,” one resident shared in April. “Also, a couple months back, a 10 lb cylinder of cooking gas cost $2,400; now the gas costs $2,900.”
Another person reported, “A couple months back, 10 kg of Karibee rice cost $1,600–$1,700; now a bag costs $2,700 at the supermarket and shop. Also, a couple months ago, a medium pack of Natura milk cost $700; now it costs $800–$900 at the shop. If the shop owners or whoever is importing these items would reduce the prices, that would be good.”
These stories underscore a troubling disconnect: while Guyana can produce all the food it needs, many citizens still can’t afford to eat well. Rising prices, unequal distribution, and limited access are turning agricultural success into a silent crisis of poverty and malnutrition.
The situation, critics argue, highlights a deeper issue: a government unable—or unwilling—to ensure that the country’s self-sufficiency translates into affordable living for all.
