Georgetown : Agriculture Minister Mr Noel Holder today met with members of the Millers Association to iron out issues which are at present affecting the rice industry. The Minister was also accompanied by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture Mr. George Jervis and General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Mr. Jagnarine Singh.
According to the Government Information Agency, among the areas discussed were prices being offered to farmers for paddy purchased and exports. Much emphasis was placed on export to Venezuela and possible mechanisms which can be put in place to ensure transparency of allocation of shipments. To this end the millers requested the records of GRDB to be shared with the new millers association and the criteria used in the allocation system.
The Minister recommended that the available data be shared with the millers. Also, a meeting will be held on Friday between Members of the Millers Association and the GRDB. This will look at the scheduling for the rest of the 2015 export quota to Venezuela for both paddy and rice.
Minister Holder pointed out that the Government is willing to assist with the marketing of Guyana’s rice through its Heads of Mission overseas.
In addition, the effective functioning of the GRDB was also highlighted as the members pointed to the lack of representation. The Agriculture Minister welcomed the idea and the association is expected to identify shortly three possible representatives to sit on the Board of Directors from which the two statutory members will be appointed.
The millers raised an issue of the role of GRDB in grading and the Minister, asked that this be immediately looked at to make it more transparent where possible.
President of the Millers Association, Dr. Peter de Groot, mentioned that a meeting is scheduled next week to address this issue.
The meeting ended cordially, with all present committed to work together, to foster the development of the sector.
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