Latest update June 26th, 2026 12:20 AM
Dec 02, 2017 News

Managing Director of Nand Persaud and Company Limited, Ragindra Persaud and Vice Chancellor of UG, Professor Ivelaw Griffith
With Guyana lacking the capability to fully support international markets with rice, the industry will soon benefit from a multi-million-dollar soil testing lab at the University of Guyana (UG) Tain Campus, Berbice.
This new initiative will help farmers to make better judgment of the soil.
Nand Persaud and Company Limited recently donated $40M to start the project.
Signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last Thursday evening at the Pegasus Hotel was the Company’s Managing Director, Ragindra Persaud, and Principal of UG, Professor Ivelaw Griffith.
The CEO of the Company said that studies have proven that soil testing plays a critical role in the production of all crops, since soils are necessary for the various produces.
The soil laboratory will help farmers all across Guyana to be better able to make the right judgments when it comes to the soil and what it needs, rather than guessing.
He added that the lab will assist the farmers to make scientific decisions on what fertiliser to apply to the soil.
Persaud said that after the soils are tested, one would know what deficiency the soil has and the farmers will replace that.
The farmers will also reduce the spending on fertilisers cost since they will know the right and adequate amount they have to apply to the soil.
Persaud told the audience that farmers should be looking in the direction of reducing cost, especially in the rice industry since the demand for rice is on the rise.
He added that Guyana exports an average of 500,000 tonnes of rice annually. He reminded about the Cuban and Mexican rice deal; the countries import some one million tonnes of rice annually.
The equipment for the soil lab will be supplied during the first part of the New Year, according to Persaud.
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Your children are starving, and you giving away their food to an already fat pussycat.
Jun 25, 2026
…no injuries reported Kaieteur Sports – Residents in parts of Guyana experienced heavy winds and persistent rainfall on Wednesday, resulting in minor structural damage at the newly constructed...Jun 26, 2026
(Kaieteur News) – The local livestock industry has always had its challenges but there was a time when the livestock farmer could earn a decent living. The cattle rancher braved droughts, floods, rustlers, marauding jaguars and government promises. The poultry farmer rose before dawn, tended his...Jun 21, 2026
By Sir Ronald Sanders (Kaieteur News) – I have spent a decade in the councils of the Organization of American States. I have watched governments come and go, seen some crises handled well and others handled badly, sat through more commemorative meetings than sessions discussing pressing issues,...Jun 25, 2026
Hard Truths… (Kaieteur News) – Kiskadee Watch is here. Daily. Online only. For now. Much more in the pipeline. Took some time, talent, and treasure from a few to get to here. From nowhere beside a vision to reach where it is today. More is needed. From Guyanese who yearn...Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: glennlall2000@gmail.com / kaieteurnews@yahoo.com