Shelly-Ann Thompson, Staff Reporter

Amid reports of Guyana not committing to long-term contracts for the distribution of rice to Jamaica, Jagnarine Singh, general manager of the Guyana Rice Development Company is scheduled to visit the island tomorrow.

Indera Persaud, honorary consul of Guyana, told The Gleaner that Singh decided to visit Jamaica to meet with "all relevant stake-holders" to dispel "all rumours".

Misinformation

Having spoken with Singh, Persaud said, "As far as he is aware, (there is) no shortage of Guyana rice in supply to Jamaica. There is misinformation going around and he (Singh) is coming to allay some of those rumours with regards to rice."

Reports have also circulated that several local distributors are not getting their usual supply of Guyanese rice. A major local supplier of rice has told The Gleaner yesterday that, for a few months, they have been out of the staple.

Measures considered

One particular customer representative of a grocery mart on Heywood Street said its stock of the staple depleted last Wednesday and "I have not seen any rice since".

Michael Stern, state minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, said several measures are being considered to address the unavailability of rice in the local market.

Among the measures being discussed is the country producing the staple in Guyana.

"We are looking at producing rice in Guyana for Jamaica. Guyana is offering us land and, if needs be, to protect us from a shortage will produce our own," said Stern.

A meeting was convened yesterday with major players of the local rice sector. The meeting followed a consultation held last week with Commerce Minister Karl Samuda.

shelly-ann.thompson@gleanerjm.com