All meat, vegetables, and beans are domestically produced. The reason why the small Caribbean nation of Guyana became number one in the world ─ The forefront of food security

The Only Country in the World Where "You Make Your Own Food"

In Japan, the term "food self-sufficiency rate" often sparks percentage debates. However, researchers worldwide are now focusing on a more straightforward question:Is there a country that can provide a "healthy diet" solely through its own production?

In 2025, a large-scale study published in 'Nature Food' provided the answer. The study covered 186 countries worldwide. It analyzed whether each country could meet the recommended intake for its citizens using only domestic production across seven food groups: fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy products, legumes/nuts, and grains. The only country that met the criteria in all food groups was the small nation of Guyana in northeastern South America.Nature

While China and Vietnam scored high by being self-sufficient in six food groups, six countries, including Afghanistan, UAE, Iraq, and Qatar, did not meet the criteria for any. More than one-third of the world's countries face the harsh reality of being able to self-supply only two or fewer of the seven food groups.martinique.franceantilles.fr

The Background of Why the "Breadbasket of the Caribbean" Became Number One

Guyana, a small country with a population of about 800,000, has long been known as the "breadbasket of the region" within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). This is due to its fertile soil and abundant freshwater resources spread across the lowlands of the coastal area, as well as its tropical climate, which has allowed agriculture, centered on sugarcane and rice, to flourish.Wikipedia

However, that alone did not make it the "world's only fully self-sufficient nation." The decisive factor was the bold agricultural investment the government embarked on after 2020.

It is said that the Guyanese government increased public investment in agriculture by about 468% over five years starting in 2020.martinique.franceantilles.fr The funds were poured into areas such as the following:

• Rice Production: The government allocated a huge budget for producing rice seeds, establishing a system capable of producing about 152,000 bags of seeds annually.The St Kitts Nevis Observer

• Poultry and Livestock: The broiler parent bird project supplied over 167,000 hatching eggs, supporting more than 5,500 farmers. The overall growth rate of livestock reached 24.6% in 2024 alone.The St Kitts Nevis Observer

• Fisheries and Aquaculture: The development of major fishing ports and the expansion of aquaculture facilities have also increased the domestic supply capacity of seafood.The St Kitts Nevis Observer

• Beekeeping: Honey production increased about tenfold in one year, jumping from 2,600 gallons to nearly 30,000 gallons through the distribution of 500 beehives.The St Kitts Nevis Observer

• Corn & Soybeans: For livestock feed grains, which were once almost entirely imported, cultivation began on a scale of 10,000 acres, with plans to expand to 25,000 acres by 2025.The St Kitts Nevis Observer

Additionally, direct support measures such as the abolition of VAT on agricultural machinery and a program to provide farmers with "one bag of fertilizer per acre" free of charge were implemented.martinique.franceantilles.fr

As a result, Guyana has established a system where almost all major food groups, such as rice, meat, fish, dairy products, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and grains, can be supplied by domestic farmers and fishers.martinique.franceantilles.fr

The Gap Faced by the Caribbean, Africa, and Europe

According to the same study, only Dominica in the Caribbean and Central America is fully self-sufficient in staple grains.martinique.franceantilles.fr While they can produce export crops like sugarcane and bananas, many countries rely on imports for staple foods consumed daily by their citizens.

In Africa, the supply of meat and dairy products emerged as a major challenge. Many countries cannot meet the recommended amounts of dairy products through domestic production and must rely on imports or aid.Nature

Meanwhile, Northern Europe, despite having world-class self-sufficiency in meat and dairy products, struggles with self-sufficiency in fruits and vegetables. The temperate climate makes it difficult to produce a diverse range of fruits and vegetables year-round, leading to reliance on greenhouse cultivation and imports.Nature

The fact that Guyana achieved "all-clear in seven food groups" is not just because it is an agricultural powerhouse, but also a result of steering towards a production structure conscious of food balance.

"Vision 25 by 2025"—A Key to Regional Food Strategy

Guyana's achievement is closely tied to the strategy of the entire Caribbean Community. CARICOM has set a goal to reduce the region's food import bill by 25% by 2025, known as "Vision 25 by 2025," with Guyana playing a central role.martinique.franceantilles.fr

Guyana, which has recently become rapidly wealthy due to oil field development, could easily become a country that "imports food with oil money." However, in reality, it is choosing to allocate part of its oil revenue to agricultural infrastructure development, opting to become a regional food supply base rather than relying on imports.

This is an extremely realistic choice, considering the vulnerabilities in international logistics exposed by the Ukraine crisis and the pandemic. The research team points out in their report that the ability to produce a diverse range of foods domestically is key to building a "resilient food system" that can withstand trade disruptions and climate change.Nature

How Did Social Media React?

1. "Pride" and "Surprise" Within Guyana

When the research results were reported in the media, the Guyanese government, tourism board, and overseas Guyanese communities quickly shared them on social media. On Facebook's Guyana-related groups and tourism promotion pages, messages like "the world's only food self-sufficient nation" were accompanied by photos of rich markets and rural landscapes.Facebook

In the comments section, there are voices of joy and pride, such as,

• "It's a small country, but it's news to be proud of worldwide."

• "I am once again proud that my grandparents were farmers."

(Here, actual posts are generalized and summarized.)

In posts from the younger generation, there is also a tone welcoming the move away from resource dependence, with comments like "Agriculture, not just oil, is our future."

2. Voices of "Envy" and "Wanting to Learn" from Neighboring Countries

Users from the Caribbean and Latin America have responded with comments like, "Our country relies too much on imports. I want to know more about Guyana's policies," and "If we are serious about achieving Vision 25 by 2025, we must learn from Guyana."Visual Capitalist

Some posts express envy, lamenting, "If only our country had the same political will to invest in agriculture..." Guyana's success is being perceived as evidence that "it can be done if you try," rather than a list of "reasons it can't be done."

3. Skeptical Comments Like "Is It Really Zero Imports?"

On the other hand, comments on X (formerly Twitter) and news sites include skeptical remarks like, "Even if they are statistically self-sufficient, they must actually import many processed foods," and "Emphasizing 'zero imports' is misleading when it's reported that they rely on imports for coffee and baby food."The St Kitts Nevis Observer

In fact, media in St. Kitts & Nevis explain in detail that while Guyana produces almost all major food groups domestically, it relies on imports for niche products like coffee and commercial baby food.The St Kitts Nevis Observer

These discussions highlight the issue of "what constitutes food self-sufficiency." The study in Nature Food evaluates whether the food groups necessary for a healthy diet can be covered by domestic production, not whether "all brands and luxury items can be domestically sourced."

4. Pros and Cons from Environmental and Climate Perspectives

Environmental activists and organizations advocating for food sovereignty are posting evaluations that "Guyana's case is an important alternative to the global corporate-led food system."Wikipedia