Overview

The GRDB was established in 1995, in pursuance of the Guyana Rice Development Board Act No. 15 of 1994. The three entities that were controlling the state’s interests in the industry prior to the formation of GRDB were dissolved. The roles of these entities – the Guyana Rice Export Board (GREB), Guyana Rice Milling & Marketing Authority (GRMMA) and the National Padi & Rice Grading Centre (NPRGC) have been usurped and are now pursued by GRDB. The main objectives of the GRDB include: To develop the rice industry in Guyana and to promote the expansion of the export trade in the said industry; To establish facilities for the conduct of research, relating to rice and extending to rice farmers through an established system, the benefits derived from such research; To engage in such promotional and developmental activities which the Board deems necessary for the purpose of developing the rice industry. The industry incorporates many stakeholders, farmers, millers, exporters, consumers, input suppliers, transport providers and the public sector to name but a few. Rice production is carried out by private producers, the vast majority of whom are small-scale farmers with the average size of rice farms being 10 – 20 acres. It has been estimated that there are approximately 10,000 farm families that depend on rice for their livelihood. Guyana also has 105 privately owned rice mills. In addition to farm families, workers in the rice mills, exporters, input suppliers, etc also depend either directly or indirectly on the rice industry. Thus approximately 100,000 persons (14% of the entire population) rely on this vital industry.