Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 28, 2014 News
Rice farmers will commence harvesting this year’s second crop shortly with much to be pleased about. This year’s rice production is expected to surpass 600,000 tons-a figure that was not anticipated at the beginning of 2014.
This is according to a senior official of the Ministry of Agriculture, during a recent interview with this publication. The official related that 232,000 acres of land is at present ready for harvesting.
He noted that usually local consumption is about 120,000 tons annually while the remainder is exported. In fact, Guyana’s export market is growing to meet the increasing amount of rice being produced by local farmers.
While emphasizing that Guyana may export in excess of 50,000 tons of rice to its newest export market, Panama, the official said that Europe, Jamaica, Venezuela and other CARICOM countries continue to import rice from Guyana.
He assured that Venezuela continues to be Guyana’s most lucrative rice market thanks to Guyana-Venezuela Petrocaribe rice for fuel deal.
Guyana was contracted to export 150,000 tons of paddy and 50,000 tons of white rice valuing $114M to the Spanish Speaking state this year. “Shortly, Guyana would satisfy its commitment to Venezuela in terms of white rice…and by the end of November all shipments of paddy would be completed,” the official said.
The Governments of Guyana and Venezuela are currently negotiating the 2015 agreement. It is hoped that the agreements would be completed in a timely manner without any hiccups to allow a smooth transition.
In the past, owing to challenges in Venezuela, local rice farmers were at odds waiting to export their rice and paddy. Some of them were offered cheaper prices for their products, since millers were waiting on the Governments to sign the agreement.
Another challenge the Ministry of Agriculture is hoping to avert is paddy bug infestation. The official said the Ministry through its extension officers has been able to control paddy bugs. The Ministry has been sending out alerts and facilitating training on how to deal with paddy bugs.
However, the Ministry now has an entomologist who would be responsible for this area.
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