Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has warned that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a reality the country must urgently confront, as he unveiled a long-term framework to modernise its drainage and irrigation systems.

The National Drainage and Irrigation Strategy (NDIS) 2030, soft-launched Thursday at an event attended by ministry officials, technical experts and stakeholders, outlines a roadmap for improving flood protection, strengthening climate resilience and supporting agricultural expansion.

"Climate change is not a future threat. It is a present reality," Mustapha said, adding, "Our response must therefore be proactive rather than reactive. This strategy is about preparing for tomorrow, not merely responding to today."

Mustapha said recent years had demonstrated the devastating impact floods and droughts can have on communities and agricultural production, making effective water management more critical than ever.

He said the strategy would modernise drainage and irrigation infrastructure through innovation, technology, data-driven planning and smarter water management practices.

"We need a strategy that integrates engineering, science, technology, environmental sustainability, institutional strengthening and community participation," he said.

Mustapha said efficient water management was essential if Guyana was to achieve its agricultural ambitions and support regional food security under CARICOM's food import reduction agenda.

"Water security is therefore inseparable from food security, and food security is inseparable from national security," he said.

The NDIS 2030 is the first comprehensive framework of its kind developed in Guyana following nationwide stakeholder consultations. It promotes a coordinated approach involving the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, the Ministries of Agriculture, Public Works, Housing and Water, and Local Government, alongside private sector and community stakeholders.

Mustapha also raised concerns about tampering with drainage and irrigation infrastructure, warning that such actions had caused significant damage to the country's systems.

Thursday's event marked a preliminary launch. A larger national rollout targeting farmers and agricultural stakeholders is expected within the next two weeks.

"The main beneficiaries must understand it and buy into it," Mustapha said.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha