AGRICULTURE Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy has announced that arrangements have been finalized for paddy and rice to be shipped to Venezuela. First shipment in this regard is expected to be dispatched before month end, he disclosed. Commenting on the outcome of a trip he had undertaken early last week accompanied by officials of both the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Rice Producers Association (RPA), Dr. Ramsammy said, “The recent visit by the team was successful, since we have managed to maintain similar prices received last year (2012), and at the same time amend the agreement to increase rice and reduce paddy exported.
This is in keeping with the Government’s mandate in increasing the exportation of more value-added products.” 

Dr. Ramsammy said he would like to advise stakeholders in the rice industry that because the conditions of sale and remuneration received for this new agreement are similar to those that obtained in the last agreement, millers are expected to pay farmers prices for current purchases that are similar to those of the last purchases made in 2012.

He said during discussions in Caracas, both parties pledged to work even more closely to reduce difficulties previously faced, so as to improve the quality of service provided, as well as the livelihoods of their people.

Further, it was agreed by both parties that export of rice and paddy would begin almost immediately, and continue for this first crop until early August.

Guyana and Venezuela also further discussed Guyana importing fertilizers from Venezuela. The Ministry of Agriculture will continue these discussions over the next weeks, in order to provide Guyana with another option to source fertilizers.

Dr. Ramsammy said, “The first shipment of rice is expected to be dispatched on May 23, while the first shipment of paddy is expected to occur on May 28. We expect to export approximately 100,000 tonnes of rice and paddy in this period to Venezuela.”

He expressed gratitude to the officials in Venezuela who have made this trip successful, especially the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Food and Corporacions de Abastecimiento y Servicios Agricolas S.A., (La CASA).