Chief Scientist at the Guyana Rice Develop-ment Board (GRDB) Dr Mahendra Persaud was on Saturday inducted as a 2023 Anthony N Sabga Awards Carib-bean Excellence Laureate for his contribution to Science and Technology in agriculture.
The award was given at a gala held at the Hilton Trinidad Ball-room in Port of Spain, before an audience of 200.
A rice researcher, Persaud is credited with leading a team of researchers who have developed over a dozen varieties of disease-resistant, high-yield rice well suited to Guyana’s climate, increasing yields from a national average of 4 tonnes per hectare to 6.
According to a press release from the ANSA McAL Foundation, in his speech at the gala, he expressed gratitude to the farmers who participated in his research. “They have provided me space and assistance, resources to conduct our research, so we can ultimately advance their own lives and those of people around the region,” he was quoted as saying. He added that rice production accounted for over 20% of Guyana’s GDP in 2020, the release said.
A 2016 recipient of a Golden Arrow of Achievement, Persaud is currently leading the development of zinc-fortified rice and exploring the possibility of growing wheat in Guyana.
On this note, he told the audience, “at this point in time, we are very sure that wheat can grow in Guyana. We still have lots more work to do, but we are very sure,” the release said.
Also inducted with him were Dr Adesh Sirjusingh (women’s health doctor from Trinidad and Tobago) and Antiguan author Joanne C Hillhouse. All awardees received the Anthony N Sabga Awards, Caribbean Excellence, Gold Medal and Citation to recognise and commend their achievements and TT$500,000 to support their work and professional development. Persaud received the equivalent in Guyanese currency of TT$500,000.
According to the award website, the cash award is intended to help them scale their next level of performance. They now also have the opportunity for visibility, and with this, encouragement and support across the Caribbean and beyond.
The Anthony N Sabga Awards are administered by the philanthropic arm of the ANSA McAL Group and presented annually to Caribbean nationals in the fields of Arts and Letters, Entrepreneurship, Public and Civic Contributions, and Science and Technology.
The rice researcher joins 57 Caribbean laureates recognised for excellence in human endeavour that uplifts the region. Past Guyanese laureates include Shyam Nokta (2022), Andrew Mendes (2020), Andrew Boyle (2018), Winslow Craig and Arif Bulkan (2017), Paloma Mohamed and Suresh Narine (2015) and Karen DeSouza (2014) among others.
