THE first shipment of 5,000 tonnes fertiliser being procured from Venezuela is set to leave that country on September 21 and will arrive on schedule in Guyana before the month ends.
Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie

Ramsammy, who made the disclosure during an interview yesterday, said the Government of Guyana is in the process of contracting a suitable vessel to bring the produce.
He said a name has already been submitted for the contract and approval is being awaited.
General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Mr. Jagnarine Singh told this newspaper, by telephone, that the consignment is on time and the related agreement between Guyana and Venezuela was solidified recently when Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro and other officials of his Government paid a state visit to this country.
While they were here, President Maduro and President Donald Ramotar, last Saturday, recommitted to working towards strengthening the existing relationship between the two neighbouring nations and enhancing the existing areas of collaboration, while also looking at new areas.
Ramsammy had previously revealed that two 5,000 tonnes shipments of fertiliser were being arranged for delivery in September 2013 and March 2014.

CONCLUDED ARRANGEMENTS
In July this year, the minister had travelled to the Spanish-speaking neighbouring country where he concluded arrangements for procuring fertiliser in the form of urea.
He had pointed out that the first 5,000 tonnes of urea would satisfy approximately only a quarter of the need of local farmers. However, he expects that a minimum of 50 percent of the farmers’ requirement will be provided from Venezuela at a reduced price.
Ramsammy explained that this initial 5,000 tonnes is the amount the vessel can hold, adding that, if there is a bigger carrier available, more fertiliser could come.
Still, he is hoping for at least two shipments each year, to satisfy half of the local demand.
Ramsammy indicated, though, that there may be more than two deliveries and Guyana will continue to procure urea from Venezuela as often during the rice crops.
He further advised that the GRDB, along with the Rice Producers Association (RPA,) is tasked with developing a programme for farmers to access this fertiliser at less than what they are currently paying.
According to the minister, that price will be at least 20 percent less and the product will be made available, first, to small farmers and then some of the bigger ones would also benefit.
Guyana and Venezuela have had friendly relations for several years and the latter is the largest importer of this country’s rice, which it has been buying at preferential prices since the signing of an agreement in 2009.