General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Jagnarine Singh said he expects the Rice Festival set for next month to be a “mega event” which will showcase how the industry became one of the pillars of Guyana’s economy.
According to a Govern-ment Information Agency (GINA) press release Singh made these comments at a press briefing to mark 100 years of Guyana exporting rice. A logo and motto competition was launched in honour of this anniversary and an International Rice Con- ference in collaboration with the GRDB and the University of Guyana will be held at the International Conference Centre. Both local and overseas rice experts including a professor from Cornhill and scientists from the US, India and Europe are expected to make presentations on the history, global factors affecting the industry and the future of the rice industry.
Plans are also in train to publish a magazine, which will include a historical reference of the industry by UG lecturer Tota Mangar. A recipe book containing 101 ways to cook rice is also in the works.
Singh said in 1903 Guyana began by exporting five tonnes of rice but today the industry has evolved and 30,000 tonnes are exported. More than one million packets of rice are exported every month. Over 10,000 families are said to be dependant on rice and 30 per cent of Guyanese are employed in the industry.
According to GINA, on November 8, a group spearheaded by Managing Director of Rice Festival Inc Leonard Gildharie will host the festival at the Guyana National Stadium. The event is expected to boast a ‘Rice Village’, which would allow patrons to experience how the rice industry works. Gildharie said too he expects the festival to be a boon for tourism much like Crop Over is a major event in Barbados.
