P-61 Guyana’s Strides: Food Security, Agriculture Productivity and Public Health

Methods: 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.

Results: 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 good public health. An examination of some of the most recent strides that Guyana has made in ensuring that food security is enhanced and the promotion of good public health, are as follows: establishment of the school feeding programme where local farmers provide produce; alignment of the National Development Pathway to focus on food security; decrease in the number of Guyanese who are unable to afford a healthy diet; reduction in the prevalence of undernourishment; included in its constitution the right to food for all Guyanese; establishment of the “One Health Approach” where food safety is at the helm; construction of Guyana’s first food hub; increase in the production of traditional and non-traditional crops, high-value and valueadded products through the use of technology; development of infrastructure to enable farmers to access markets with their fresh produce.

Conclusion: Guyana’s 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.