A groundbreaking study published in Nature Food in June 2025 declared Guyana the only country among 186 nations to achieve complete food self-sufficiency, capable of meeting its population's nutritional needs across all seven major food groups, grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat, plant-based protein, and starchy staples, without relying on imports. With fewer than 800,000 residents, Guyana's diverse ecosystem, fertile soils, and favourable climate have enabled year-round farming, positioning it as a model of agricultural resilience. However, the question remains: can Guyana truly be considered food self-sufficient if its agricultural success depends on imported fuel and fertilisers? This blog piece critically examines Guyana's food self-sufficiency, exploring how its reliance on these inputs complicates the story and what it means for the broader concept of self-sufficiency.
Guyana's food self-sufficiency is a testament to its strategic investments and natural advantages. Since 2020, the government has increased agricultural funding by approximately 468%, supporting initiatives like the cultivation of corn and soybeans on over 12,000 acres, with plans to expand to 25,000 acres by 2025 to eliminate livestock feed imports. Programs like the Broiler Breeder Project and the Agriculture Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programme have boosted poultry production and engaged youth in agribusiness, with over 70% of participants transitioning to farm ownership. Additionally, a GY$2 billion fertiliser support program provides farmers with one bag of fertiliser per acre, enhancing productivity for crops like red beans and black-eyed peas. These efforts, combined with Guyana's ability to produce 60% of its consumed food locally as of 2021, have culminated in its unique status as the only nation fully self-sufficient in all essential food groups.
The Nature Food study, conducted by researchers from the University of Göttingen and the University of Edinburgh, measured domestic production against the nutritional requirements of the World Wildlife Fund's Livewell diet, which emphasises plant-based proteins, vegetables, and whole grains. Guyana's ability to meet these standards across all categories is remarkable, especially when compared to agricultural powerhouses like China and Vietnam, which fall short in one food group each. Local practices, such as intercropping to preserve soil health and investments in infrastructure like silos and farm-to-market roads, further bolster Guyana's resilience.
While Guyana's ability to produce enough food to feed its population is undeniable, its reliance on imported fuel and fertilisers raises questions about the completeness of its self-sufficiency. Modern agriculture, even in Guyana, is heavily dependent on fossil fuels for machinery, transportation, and irrigation, as well as fertilisers to maintain high crop yields. The Nature Food study focuses on food output but does not account for these critical inputs, which are often imported and subject to global supply chain vulnerabilities.
Fuel, particularly diesel, is essential for agricultural operations, powering tractors, irrigation systems, and transportation networks that move goods from farm to market. In 2022, global fuel price spikes, exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine war, highlighted the vulnerability of countries dependent on imported petroleum. Guyana, while rich in oil due to recent offshore discoveries, still relies on imported refined fuels for agricultural use, as its domestic refining capacity is limited. This dependency ties Guyana's agricultural productivity to global energy markets, which can be disrupted by geopolitical tensions or economic shocks. For example, a 2022 report noted that rising fuel prices significantly increased food production costs in import-dependent nations like the Philippines, a scenario that could similarly affect Guyana if global fuel supplies are interrupted.
Fertilisers, particularly nitrogen-based ones like urea, are another critical input. The production of nitrogen fertilisers is energy-intensive, relying heavily on natural gas, and global price surges, such as the 110% increase in urea costs reported in 2022, have strained agricultural economies worldwide. Guyana's GY$2 billion fertiliser support program demonstrates its commitment to boosting yields, but the country likely imports a significant portion of these fertilisers, as domestic production is not mentioned in available sources. This reliance mirrors challenges faced by other nations, such as the United States, where 93% of potash (a key fertiliser) is imported, creating vulnerabilities in agricultural systems. If global fertiliser supply chains were disrupted, due to events like export bans or wars, Guyana's ability to maintain its high yields could be compromised, potentially undermining its food self-sufficiency.
The Nature Food study defines self-sufficiency as the ability to produce enough food to meet nutritional needs without imports, but this definition overlooks the indirect dependencies inherent in modern agriculture. True self-sufficiency would require not only food production but also the domestic provision of all necessary inputs, including fuel and fertilisers. Guyana's reliance on these imports suggests that its self-sufficiency is partial, vulnerable to the same global shocks, such as droughts, wars, or export bans, that threaten less self-sufficient nations.
However, this critique does not diminish Guyana's achievement. The country's progress toward self-sufficiency in crops like corn, soybeans, and beans, supported by sustainable practices like intercropping, shows a path toward reducing import dependency. Moreover, Guyana's small population and vast arable land give it a unique advantage over larger nations like the United States or China, which face higher demand and urbanisation pressures. Innovations like permaculture or agroforestry, which minimise fertiliser and fuel use, could further strengthen Guyana's resilience, as seen in models like the "Permaculture Food Forest" that produce food with minimal external inputs.
Guyana's food self-sufficiency offers valuable lessons for other nations. Its focus on diversifying crops, investing in infrastructure, and engaging youth in agriculture demonstrates how targeted policies can build resilience. Yet, its dependence on imported fuel and fertilisers highlights a broader truth: no country is an island in today's interconnected globalist world. Even Guyana, the world's only fully food-self-sufficient nation, remains tethered to global markets for critical inputs. This vulnerability underscores the need for a more nuanced understanding of self-sufficiency, one that accounts for the entire agricultural supply chain.
For Guyana to achieve true self-sufficiency, it could explore strategies like developing domestic fertiliser production (e.g., leveraging its natural gas reserves for nitrogen fertilisers) and adopting low-input farming techniques, such as those used in permaculture, could also reduce reliance on external resources. For other nations, Guyana's model suggests that partial self-sufficiency, focusing on key food groups and diversifying trade partnerships, may be a more realistic goal than complete independence.
Guyana's designation as the world's only fully food-self-sufficient nation is a remarkable feat, driven by its natural advantages, strategic investments, and commitment to agricultural innovation. However, its reliance on imported fuel and fertilisers complicates this narrative, revealing that even the most self-sufficient nation is not immune to global supply chain risks. While Guyana's achievement sets a high bar, it also highlights the need for a broader definition of self-sufficiency that includes the inputs critical to food production. By addressing these dependencies, Guyana could solidify its position as a global model for resilience, offering hope and inspiration in an era of increasing food insecurity. And deliver lessons to other countries seeking to escape the web of globalism.
"In a world increasingly reliant on international food trade, Guyana stands out as a remarkable exception. This small South American nation has achieved what no other country in the world has managed: complete food self-sufficiency across all major food categories. According to groundbreaking research published in Nature Food in June 2025, if global food trade were to suddenly cease, Guyana would be the only country able to fully sustain its population's nutritional needs.
Why Guyana is uniquely self-sufficient in food production
With fewer than 800,000 residents, Guyana has leveraged its natural advantages to achieve unprecedented agricultural independence. The country's diverse ecosystem and favorable climate create ideal conditions for year-round farming, allowing Guyana to produce sufficient quantities across all seven essential food groups studied: grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat, staples, and fish.
The fertile soils of Guyana support diverse agricultural techniques that maximize soil fertility and crop yields. Unlike most nations that excel in some food categories but fall short in others, Guyana has developed balanced agricultural systems that meet all domestic requirements.
Jonas Stehl, developmental economist at the University of Göttingen and lead researcher of the study, emphasized: "Guyana's achievement is unprecedented in our global analysis of 186 countries. While international food cooperation remains essential for most nations, Guyana has created a uniquely resilient food system."
This achievement becomes even more impressive when considering that agricultural powerhouses like China and Vietnam, despite their vast resources and production capabilities, still cannot match Guyana's complete self-sufficiency.
Global food dependency patterns revealed
The research conducted by teams from the University of Göttingen and the University of Edinburgh presents a concerning picture of worldwide food security. More than one-third of all countries studied can only meet their populations' needs in two or fewer food categories, highlighting widespread dependency on international trade.
China and Vietnam come closest to Guyana's achievement, producing sufficient quantities in six of the seven food groups. However, even these agricultural giants fall short in one category, underscoring how difficult complete self-sufficiency truly is.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, nations like Afghanistan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates cannot independently fulfill any of their food requirements. Without international trade, their populations would face immediate and severe food insecurity.
Regional analyses reveal further vulnerabilities. The Gulf Cooperation Council achieves self-sufficiency only in meat production, while West African and Caribbean unions can provide just two food groups without imports. These regions have developed diets that incorporate plant-based food options with proven health benefits, yet still remain dependent on imports for complete nutrition.
Food trade vulnerability in an uncertain world
The findings highlight how precarious global food systems truly are. Countries relying heavily on imports face significant risks from supply chain disruptions, geopolitical tensions, or environmental disasters. Recent protectionist policies, including those implemented during former U.S. President Trump's administration, have further exposed the fragility of international food networks.
For many nations, food security extends beyond basic sustenance to nutritional quality that supports overall health. The research suggests that countries should diversify their trade partnerships and strengthen domestic food production where possible.
Some nations have begun implementing innovative approaches to reduce import dependence. Traditional cooking methods are being revitalized to make better use of local ingredients, such as techniques that enhance food quality with locally available components.
Sustainable farming practices represent another critical strategy. Proper resource management, including appropriate composting and waste management, can significantly boost domestic production capacities. Additionally, rediscovering traditional food sources with exceptional nutritional profiles may help nations expand their self-sufficiency.
As … political instability continue to threaten global food systems, Guyana's achievement offers valuable insights for other nations. While complete self-sufficiency may remain unattainable for most countries, strengthening domestic food production and diversifying trade relationships will be essential strategies for navigating an increasingly uncertain future."