Dear Editor,
Harvesting of the present rice crop has commenced in Regions Two, Three and Six, where farmers are making full use of the sunny weather.
Although the paddy bug infestation has somewhat affected the crop, farmers are optimistic that overall a bumper crop will result. Some 192,500 acres are expected to be harvested without much difficulty in all the regions.
The Venezuelan people and Guyanese rice farmers suffered a great loss when President Hugo Chavez died especially as Guyana has so far been unable to conclude a new contract for the supply of rice to Venezuela for 2013. Guyana was expected to supply that country with a total of 220,000 tonnes of rice and paddy according to Mr Jagnarine Singh, General Manager, Guyana Rice Development Board in Stabroek News, Friday, 15th March 2013.
Therefore, let’s not waste this magnificent opportunity with Brazil but rather, work assiduously to make our mark in their marketplace. I am sure that if Guyana meets the requirements of the Brazil rice market, the quota granted to us will increase. This can be an important breakthrough for the rice industry as we seek to export our rice and paddy to markets alternative to the traditional areas.
Furthermore, the Brazilian market is one that is outlined in our Strategic Plan, and this opportunity couldn’t come at a better time as we are yet unable to conclude a new contract for our rice and paddy with Venezuela. Exporting rice and paddy to Brazil, as our base market in South and Latin America will teach us the business culture of these areas and we will be in a better position to launch our products in their markets.
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Khan
