The Farmers Connect application is expanding access to agricultural services across Guyana, with almost 4,000 farmers already registered on the platform and more than 2,000 non-farmers also utilising its services.
Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, provided the update on Monday on the sidelines of the Farmers Forum held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), highlighting the platform’s growing reach and its role in connecting farmers with key agencies within the agriculture sector.
According to the minister, the application provides farmers, including those in some of the country’s most remote communities, with direct access to assistance on a wide range of agricultural matters.
“You can be with your smartphone in Orealla, and you can send a message to the Ministry of Agriculture to get help in terms of extension services, to get help in marketing, drainage and irrigation, look at problems with pests and diseases and other things like that,” Minister Mustapha said.
The platform allows farmers to communicate with agencies such as the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) for marketing support and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) for drainage and irrigation concerns.
Minister Mustapha explained that personnel from agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture are active on the platform and monitor issues reported by farmers, which are then directed to the relevant agencies for action.
“So the app is an entire process that can deal with a number of issues, right, in terms of agriculture. So it’s a very useful app,” he said.
Through Farmers Connect, users can access market prices, weather updates and pest and disease alerts, while also receiving guidance on crop selection based on soil conditions.
The platform further facilitates direct connections between farmers and buyers, agro-processors and exporters, helping to improve market access and reduce inefficiencies along the agricultural value chain.
Among its other features is AI-assisted crop diagnostics, which can help farmers identify plant diseases and receive treatment recommendations.
The minister noted that the platform has already achieved nationwide penetration, with farmers from all regions using the application.
DPI
