By Faith Edwards
THE Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF) distributes high-quality rice seeds to boost national food security.
MALF via media release on Tuesday stated that 100 tonnes of certified, high-yielding, disease-resistant rice seeds were sourced from the Cooperative Republic of Guyana for the 2025 rice growing season.
The symbolic distribution took place on Tuesday at the Central Experiment Station, Caroni North Bank Road, Centeno.
It stated that the initiative forms part of Phase I of the Revitalisation and Modernisation of the Rice Industry in Trinidad and Tobago.
The seeds are expected to support the commercial planting of approximately 2,000 acres of land across the country.
MALF noted that the move is aimed at reducing the national food import bill, building local agricultural resilience and increasing rice self-sufficiency.
Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator Ravi Ratiram, in his address, said, “This Ministry is committed to supporting your productivity, your profitability and your peace of mind. More acreage. Higher yields. Better margins. Stronger communities. And yes, greater national food security. We must reach a point where local rice is not the exception on the shelf, it is the standard on the plate.”
The initiative was supported by the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB). National Flour Mills (NFM) was also acknowledged for its role in supporting the creation of a stable market environment for local rice farmers.
Project Coordinator at MALF, Nigel Grimes, described rice as a vital part of national food security and said the distribution marked a significant step in increasing productivity.
“With improved seed quality, increased acreage and strong support systems, we expect clear gains in yield and productivity,” he said.
MALF stated that the initiative reflects its commitment to building a competitive, self-reliant and data-driven rice industry, once central to Trinidad and Tobago’s agricultural economy.
