Agrarian Reform in Guyana is considered to be an important phase in the economic development of the country. In fact, Agrarian Reform in Guyana boosted up the productivity of the agricultural sector, contributing immensely to national economy and taking it towards affluence. Ever since the agrarian reforms, the average agricultural productivity of Guyana has increased remarkably to 5.4% within a span of six years, from 1993 to 1999. This increased output accounted for 32% of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Guyana.
Land reform programs in Guyana: different phases
The cultivation of rice and sugar being the primary agricultural activities of Guyana, derived maximum benefits out of the land reform programs. The implementation of the reform programs affected the agricultural sector in a positive manner, revealing escalation in growth and output.
Introduction of land reform programs proved to be immensely beneficial, as far as the rural population was concerned. Around 70% of Guyana’s rural population earned their living from farming and other related agrarian activities. An increase in the agricultural output led to simultaneous increase in the revenue generation. Hence, more and more stress was laid on the development of the agrarian sector, for improving the living standard and financial condition of the peasant class.
In course of land reform programs in Guyana, a series of related activities were in progress side by side, to support the implementation of the reform programs. These activities included the development of superior infrastructures, improvement of the prevailing land administration system and introduction of a system which will enable exchange of information across the country’s agricultural sector. These initiatives, together with the agrarian reform programs gradually boosted up the agricultural activities of Guyana.
With the introduction of land reform schemes in Guyana, the rural, agricultural sector of the nation was revolutionized and the overall condition of the peasant class improved substantially. In fact, there was an overall transformation in the rural sector of Guyana, marking the beginning of technical applications in agricultural production.
Guyanese Agrarian Reforms: effects
Sugar industry, which is considered to be the backbone of the country’s economy, offering employment to thousands of people; experienced immense rise in the production level. Owing to the reformation in the country’s agricultural sector, production of sugar rose to 321,438 tones in 1999. This hike was regarded as the highest production ever achieved since the 1970s, and 98% more than the 1991 production. Moreover, capital investments in the production, manufacture and research work led to a 40% escalation in the yield of sugarcane from 58.8 tones per hectare to 82.4 tones per hectare. Extraction and recovery of sugar enhanced as well, from 4.1 tones per hectare in 1991 to 7.4 tones per hectare in 1999.
Other than Sugar, production of rice increased as well, owing to extensive reformation of the agricultural sector of Guyana.