Charting the Way Forward in Endangered Rice Industry

Tensions within the local rice industry are somewhat at ease tonight, following a meeting held earlier today with Minister of Natural Resources and Agriculture Gaspar Vega.  The sit down saw the participation of other ministry officials and rice producers to prepare a roadmap for production.  Agreed upon are the following: the draft revised standards for rice will be finalized within a month, rice sold locally will be pre-packaged to indicate origin, quantity and quality, including additional requirements.  Lastly, negotiations have also commenced for the reduction of prices depending on the grade.  The required cost of production survey and other studies will be completed within a month.  The reflected changes come on the heels of a request by businessman Jack Charles to import Guyanese rice for retail on the local market at a cheaper cost.