By Ravin Singh

GUYANESE rice farmers may soon benefit from the Mexico market, as food inspectors from that country are working with Guyana to ensure phytosanitary certification is in order before commencing importation of local paddy.This was disclosed by Mexican Ambassador to Guyana, His Excellency Ivan Robero Sierra Medel, at a reception held recently in honour of that Spanish-speaking country’s 206th Independence Anniversary at the Marriott Hotel.

After losing the Venezuela rice market last year, Guyana, through efforts made by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, was able to secure commitments by the Mexican Government to buy some of this country’s rice.
The commitment was made by Mexico’s Agriculture Minister, Jose Calzada, during a meeting with Nagamootoo, who was attending the Open Governance Global Summit in Mexico City last year.

Mexico, which imports some one million tonnes of rice annually, has since
signalled its intention to fast-track a paddy deal with Guyana, even as the Prime Minister continues to seek other markets for local producers.

In March this year, Mexican paddy importers met with Agriculture Minister Noel Holder to discuss the way forward in relation to the rice deal between the two countries.

Speaking at the reception to observe Mexico’s 206th Independence Anniversary, Mexican Ambassador Medel said relations between Guyana and Mexico continue to be strong, especially in the area of food security. He noted that Mexican officials are working hard to ensure certification is ready, in order to begin importation of local paddy.

“The Mexican food inspection authority SENASICA is working jointly with NAREI [Guyana’s National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute] to make sure phytosanitary certification is ready, in order to begin the commercialisation of Guyanese paddy,” Ambassador Medel disclosed.

The diplomat said the coconut sector is also a priority area. Bilateral collaboration has begun in order to introduce into Guyana high-yielding varieties of coconut from Mexico.

Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, continues to search for international markets for Guyana’s rice in wake of the closure of the Venezuelan market.

Minister Holder also recently advised that Guyana currently sells rice to 50 countries around the world, and he said that too much of an issue is now being made of the collapse of the Venezuelan market. At a press conference in October, he had said that Guyana was successful in securing an increased market arrangement with Panama, for which shipment has begun. The shipment has been increased from 4000 tonnes to 7,200 tonnes.

The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) is also working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to secure additional international markets for Guyana’s rice.