Jamaica needs more of Guyana’s rice and Minister within the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Investment of Jamaica, Michael Stern is currently on a familiarisation visit to assess Guyana’s capability to supply rice to the Jamaica market.
This is according to a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) sent yesterday.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud had on October 11 met with Jamaica’s Minister of Industry, Commerce and Investment Karl Samuda and Minister Stern to discuss the Guyana/Jamaica rice trade after an earlier indication that Jamaica was aiming to import rice from the United States.
At that meeting, Minister Persaud assured the Ministers that Guyana’s potential to meet the demand and expand its supply to that country and invited Minister Stern to visit Guyana, not only to confirm the commitment but to observe developments in the industry.
During the meeting on Thursday night at the Grand Coastal Inn on the East Coast of Demerara, Persaud noted that the visit will expose Minister Stern and the Jamaican buyers who accompany him to what is taking place in the industry and the measures that are in place to support rice growth. It will also help local producers to better understand the importance of the Jamaican market.
“I see this in two perspectives: one is ensuring that the rice trade remains strong and vibrant but also from a marketing standpoint, because it is always good that buyers interact with producers and buyers,” the Government Information Agency quoted Persaud as saying.
He noted that both Governments have an obligation to ensure that the trade works well and to remain committed to the process. Minister Stern and his team have already visited the Essequibo Coast and were expected to visit Region Five yesterday.
The Jamaican Minister highlighted the importance of the rice supply from Guyana to reduce the cost of the commodity in Jamaica where there is a shortage and where prices have increased significantly. This resulted from the loss of agricultural products due to the recent Hurricane Dean.
Reference was made to the rising global price of wheat and corn which has impacted on the cost of chicken feed and chicken. These have all created a greater demand for rice in Jamaica.
“I came here to ensure that the promise made by Minister Persaud to fulfil our demand is what it is because we are trying hard to supply our market needs. So we are trying to ensure that the first market we get supply from at all times is Guyana,” Minister Stern said.
He noted that the Jamaican Government and the purchasers were working together to address the rice shortage in Jamaica and following the visit, discussions will be held with stakeholders in Guyana to ensure that the trade arrangements are sorted out. He said too that Guyana has met the Jamaican market demand for the first six months of this year.
“The purchaser and the Government are all working in unity for one cause because we are still committed to Caricom and where Guyana is concerned, Jamaica is committed to buying from Guyana but we need more rice at this time,” Minister Stern said
Rice in Guyana is the second most important agricultural industry and is the largest user of agricultural lands since approximately 80,000 hectares are currently being double cropped. It contributes approximately 20 per cent of agricultural gross domestic product and 12 per cent of export earnings. Approximately 12,000 farmers are involved in the process.
