-GRDB, Deputy General Manager
Maintaining food security remains a top priority of government; and to ensure that this is kept up, government has been taking the necessary steps to obtain this objective.
The Ministry of Agriculture launched its US$643,000 hinterland rice and beans project in Region Nine last year, that will ensure food security is maintained in hinterland communities, as well as provide employment for some persons.
Deputy General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Ricky Ramraj, said that the project is progressing satisfactorily; and to date, 82 acres of rice and beans have been planted.
A bond built at a cost of $11.8M has also been completed to be used for storing equipment, machines and chemicals.
He noted that GRDB staff are currently taking supplies of fertilizers, insecticide and weedicide to the area to assist in the growing of rice and complement the combine, tractor, chipper and plough that are assisting farmers with the project.
According to Ramraj, the Ministry of Agriculture has also assisted in the construction of a small drying floor attached to the bond.
Fifty acres of red beans will also be sown upon completion of the rainy season, while works are in progress for another 75 acres of rice to be cultivated.
The project was launched by Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud in 2009 in memory of the late Minister within the Ministry of Education, Dr. Desrey Fox. (GINA)