In light of the notable decline in domestic rice paddy production from 2014 to 2023, the Agriculture, Land and Fisheries Ministry has distributed 100 tonnes of rice seeds to 37 farmers across TT for the 2025 planting season.

The distributed seeds, sourced from the Corporate Republic of Guyana (Republic Bank Guyana), come as part of a $2 million allocation by the ministry to revitalise local food production. The seeds are expected to support the commercial planting of approximately 2,000 acres of land.

“In 2014, TT produced approximately 2,800 metric tonnes of rice paddy,” said Agriculture Minister Ravi Ratiram at the distribution ceremony at the Central Experiment Station, Centeno on May 20.