Sod turned for $1.6B paddy drying, storage facility on Essequibo Coast

…10,000-tonne climate-controlled facility to benefit 2000 rice farmers

The Agriculture Ministry on Friday turned the sod for a $1.6 billion paddy drying and storage facility at Onderneeming, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), which is expected to ease storage constraints and delays at rice mills on the Essequibo Coast.

The facility is being developed on 10 acres of land and is expected to provide 10,000 tonnes of storage capacity while processing approximately 1000 metric tonnes of paddy per day.
The project fulfils a commitment made by President Dr Irfaan Ali during the election campaign and was part of the PPP/C’s manifesto pledges to modernise agriculture and expand infrastructure in the rice sector.
It was fast-tracked and tendered through a national competitive bidding process, with contracts awarded for the construction works and the supply and installation of processing equipment.
The construction contract was awarded to 4N Hardware, while European company Superbrick was contracted to provide the engineering and equipment and oversee its installation.
The main structure will occupy only part of the 10-acre site, leaving space for future expansion.
The facility will include two dryers, four wet bins, receiving silos, conveyors, elevators, cleaners and a below-ground truck intake hopper.
Its storage system will also have temperature and carbon dioxide control systems to help preserve paddy over an extended period.
Operations will be monitored through a centralised SCADA system, allowing equipment and operations to be monitored from the control room and remotely.
Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony, Mustapha said the facility is expected to address some of the long-standing challenges faced by rice farmers in Region Two, particularly limited storage capacity, delays at mills and farmers having to accept lower prices for their paddy.
“Many times you have to take your paddy outside of the region for sale, and during the peak harvesting period, the capacity in this coast, the capacity in Region Two, is insufficient to accommodate the value of paddy being produced,” Mustapha said.
He noted that farmers have also complained about long lines at mills, with some having to wait up to two days to unload a single load of paddy.
“The line, you all know that many of you have called me directly, that when you go to the mills the line is long, you have to wait two days to unload one load of paddy. After the completion of this, I want to tell you that those things will be things of the past,” he said.
Mustapha said the facility would give farmers greater options in managing and marketing their produce, including the option of storing paddy rather than selling immediately.
“Either you take your paddy and sell it to the miller or bring your paddy here and store it if you don’t want to sell it,” he said.
He said the facility is expected to allow farmers to wait for more favourable market conditions and secure better prices.
“I am hoping after the construction of this body drying and storage facility that you will not only enjoy better prices but at the same time you will have the control of the market,” Mustapha said.
The minister recalled that Government had previously intervened when farmers were unable to find sufficient markets for their produce, purchasing approximately 70,000 bags of paddy to prevent farmers’ crops from spoiling.
He said the facility would provide farmers with an alternative for managing their produce during periods when existing storage and milling capacity is insufficient.
The project is expected to be completed within one year, with the contractor expected to deliver the facility according to the agreed specifications and to the satisfaction of the Government and farmers.