Trinidad seeks Guyana’s help in rice production, aquaculture

TIMES INT'L

Talks are ongoing between the governments of Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago to assist in the production of rice on the twin island republic.
In addition, Guyana has committed to helping the neighbouring country to establish aquaculture farms with focus on expanding hassar production there.

Recently, 3000 hassars from a Corentyne, Berbice aquaculture farm were shipped to Trinidad
Recently, 3000 hassars from a Corentyne, Berbice aquaculture farm were shipped to Trinidad

Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, in an interview with Guyana Times International on Saturday, stated that two technical teams from Trinidad recently visited the country to discuss these arrangements.
He explained that one team came with the intention of discussing the prospect of producing rice with the assistance of Guyana.
This newspaper was told that while Guyana will help Trinidad with the development of its rice industry, the twin island republic is not considered a competitor.
“Trinidad currently imports rice from Guyana and given the lack of land in that country, it will always be an importer of rice. This is so because while it can produce some of the grain, it will not be able to provide for as much as its population requires. Trinidad needs some 50,000 to 60,000 tonnes of rice on an annual basis and would not be able to produce this much,” he said.
Meanwhile, the second team has focused on establishing budding aquaculture activities in their country, with the intention of rearing large quantities of hassar.
Recently, 3000 hassar from a Corentyne, Berbice aquaculture farm were secured and shipped off to Trinidad to begin this process.
Currently, Guyana is also negotiating with the Trinidadian government to purchase aromatic rice and butternut squash.
Dr Ramsammy emphasised that all of these negotiations are part of the countries’ commitment and dedication to reduce the food import bill, which is high on the agenda of the Caribbean Community (Caricom).
Dr Ramsammy reiterated that the ‘Jagdeo Initiative’ was conceptualised at a time when Caricom was seeking to maximise its potential in agriculture, by developing interventions to remove the constraints to progress in the sector.
He stated that Guyana is currently producing enough to feed and sustain its people and has developed and put mechanisms in place towards producing more for export.

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