An overview of domestic food production in Guyana, 1960-1993

In 1956 agriculture's contribution to total GDP was 38 percent in Barbados, 32 percent in Guyana, 19 percent in Jamaica and 11 percent in Trinidad and Tobago. In the I 980s and I 990s, these totals declined to less than 6 percent in all of these countries, except Guyana where agriculture continues to account for more than 27 percent of total GDP. Notwithstanding this prominent position of agriculture in Guyana's economy, the sub-sector of domestic food production has declined drastically since the early I 960s. Overall, it is estimated that per capita output declined by more than 30 percent between 1960 and 1993. A wide variety of factors contributed to decline in food production at both the national and village levels. The focus of this analysis is, however, on developments within the political and economic policy environment of the country that account for decreased food output