Agriculture Minister Holds Crucial Meeting with Rice Sector Stakeholders

On Wednesday, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, convened a significant meeting with stakeholders in the rice sector to assess the performance of the current crop (First Crop 2024) and outline plans for the upcoming second crop of 2024.

During the meeting, senior officials from the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) revealed that, thanks to critical and timely interventions, the acreage cultivated for the current crop exceeded its production target, reaching approximately 209,000 acres.

Minister Mustapha provided updates on preparations for the second crop of 2024, stating that land preparation has already commenced, with around 150,000 acres receiving dry land preparation.

Furthermore, the GRDB has initiated efforts to inform farmers about the recommended sowing periods for the second crop. Extension officers are actively conducting awareness sessions with farmers in rice-growing regions. In the days ahead, advisories will also be disseminated through the agency’s and the Ministry’s website, social media platforms, television, and daily newspapers.

Attendees at the meeting included the Ministry’s Director General, Madanlall Ramraj, Vice Chairman of Region Two, Humace Odit, and President of the Rice Producers Association (RPA), Mr. Leakha Rambrich. Also present were Chairman of the Mahaica Agriculture Research and Development Station (MARDS), Mohamed Zaid Rafeeoodeen, GRDB General Manager, Badrie Persaud, GRDB Deputy General Manager, Kuldip Ragnauth, Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Jagnarine Singh, as well as several engineers and extension officers from Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, and Six.

The meeting served as a platform for collaboration and strategic planning to ensure the continued success and growth of Guyana’s rice sector.

(Ministry of Agriculture)