Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Vinceroy Jordan, yesterday lashed out at Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, over the sum of $1.3 billion allocated towards the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), flagging the Board as the main driver of production, varieties, and yields within the rice industry.
Jordan on day three of the budget debate posited that it was quite unacceptable for the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C) to say that they are expanding the rice industry with this “paltry” sum.
“Mr. Speaker, it is important to note that while this government boasts about $97.6 billion being pumped into agriculture this year, I want the Guyanese to understand the true outlay of this allocation. Sir, the Guyana Rice Development Board which deals with the support of production, varieties, and yields within the rice industry only received a meagre $1.3 billion, yet this government speaks about expanding the rice cultivation industry. It begs the question. Where is the study? Where are the plans? How did you arrive at this figure?” The Opposition Member quizzed.
