— farmers to benefit tremendously
GUYANA is looking to improve the quality of its rice laboratory to one which is internationally certified and includes biochemical characteristics. This initiative will see farmers working with the Agriculture Ministry and the various rice associations in Guyana to enhance the product for export.
This was revealed by Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy during a recent interview with the state media.
The minister deemed this development important to the country, since Guyana is paid for its rice based on confirmation of its quality after being graded in the different importing countries.
He explained that if the rice sector in Guyana was going to continue expanding, steps must be taken to see the country‘s economy skyrocketing in this regard.
“If we are going to continue to expand our export of rice, we must remember we are paid for rice based on quality of rice exported, and the grading and confirmation of quality of rice is very important to our rice farmers… they are paid in accordance with that grading.” Ramsammy stated.
Dr. Ramsammy said rice labs have already been improved, but more needs to be done to reach international standards in this regard.
“In the old days, it was based on very crude physical characteristics; and in present, (it) says we have improved those through our laboratories; and what we are doing now is further improving the laboratory by including various biochemical characteristics.” he informed.
This, he said, will see farmers benefiting tremendously. “…so that our farmers could benefit from improved quality. With the lab, it will enable us to work with farmers and improve their quality, but by having a more upgraded and internationally certified lab.”
Minister Ramsammy said that the present process which subjects exported rice for further analysis abroad will be changed.
“We will be able to sell our rice without subjecting our rice to further analysis abroad. That is one of the problems abroad: When our rice goes to other importing countries, they subject it to further tests,” he pointed out.
He said that once Guyana could establish this internationally certified lab according to International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) standards, it will allow for farmers to do a more enhanced grading before exporting the product to international markets.
“We will do the quality testing right in Guyana, without having to do a second testing; and that is what we are doing right now,” he added.
The minister said Guyana has made significant progress in this regard, and the country will shortly obtain the certificates needed to carry out these testings.