By Saskia Warrick
In a recent parliamentary session, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha addressed concerns regarding Guyana’s rice production and the rising market prices.
Minister Mustapha assured that the country’s rice production is meeting both local and international demands.
This claim is supported by the fact that the first crop of the year exceeded its target, with a production total of 362,030 metric tonnes in the first half of the year.
During a discussion with the Guyana Rice Millers and Exporter Association, it was revealed that the supply chain is not responsible for the increase in rice prices.
The opposition had questioned the approval of $524 million from the Contingency Fund for the Guyana Rice Development Board.
Minister Mustapha explained that these additional funds are needed to address challenges faced by farmers.
Earlier, the National Assembly approved over $4 billion in contingency funds for the Ministry of Agriculture to support both the sugar and rice industries.
These funds are allocated to address unforeseen circumstances and emergencies within the sector.