Guyana’s Strides: Food Security, Agriculture Productivity and Public Health Management

Abstract

The paper examines the strides the Government of Guyana has made in the drive towards food security and the roles of agriculture in food security towards the promotion of public health. This research was conducted using the qualitative approach through literature review and content analyses. The data were obtained from secondary open access sources. Data were collected, interpreted and analyzed from existing literature, on food security, agriculture productivity and public health in Guyana. The Agriculture and Health sectors have been working collaboratively to reduce the prevalence of factors leading to non-communicable diseases that are modifiable. Hence, these sectors are very active in the inclusion of food security through agriculture productivity towards public health management. An examination of some of the most recent strides that Guyana has made in ensuring that food security is enhanced and the promotion of public health, are; the establishment of the school feeding programme where local farmers are tasked with providing produce for the programme, alignment of the National Development Pathway to focus on food security, a decrease in the number of Guyanese who are unable to afford a healthy diet and the reduction in the prevalence of undernourishment. Guyana has included in its constitution the right to food for all Guyanese, the establishment of the “One Health Approach” where food safety is at the helm of the initiative, the construction of Guyana’s first food hub, increase in the production of traditional and non-traditional crops, high-value and value-added products through the use of technology and the development of infrastructure to enable farmers to access markets with their fresh produce. Guyana’ government has been making strides to ensure that food security is well established through collaborations with local, regional and international agencies. The impact of agriculture productivity on food security is critical and ultimately influences public health. The interplay of Agriculture Productivity and Food Security is very critical for the survival of the country’s population while at the same time ensuring that the health status of the population is maintained by the reduction in the prevalence of diseases, decrease in mortality rates and access to nutritious foods.