The Ministry of Agriculture in Guyana is actively evaluating new rice strains to determine the most suitable varieties for cultivation in the country.
Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha provided insights into the ongoing efforts to enhance rice production and explore new export opportunities.
Rice stands as the primary agricultural export for Guyana, and the ministry is collaborating with various partners to boost production.
Notably, in 2023, rice yields increased from 6.2 metric tonnes per hectare to 6.3 metric tonnes per hectare.
Minister Mustapha highlighted the GRDB-16 as the current highest yielding strain, but testing is underway with India and Brazil to assess the potential of new rice varieties.
The government is actively seeking new markets to expand rice exports, with a particular focus on Europe.
Recent successes include securing exports to Sierra Leone in Africa.
Minister Mustapha emphasized the importance of diversifying markets and reducing dependence on any single region, citing ongoing efforts to explore opportunities beyond North America.
In 2023, Guyana achieved a milestone by launching the GRDB IICA 17, becoming the first country in the Caribbean and Central America to cultivate bio-fortified rice with zinc.
This initiative is expected to contribute to the first crop of rice in 2024, cultivated by farmers across the country.
The exploration of new rice varieties and export markets aligns with the government’s commitment to advancing the agricultural sector and ensuring sustainable development.