The Ministry of Agriculture is inviting bids for the construction of a comprehensive Drying and Storage Paddy Facility in Region Two, with the project valued at $2.7 billion.
According to the invitation for bids, the project falls under the purview of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).
The bid documents indicate that the project will be executed in two parts. The first part involves the supply and installation of a complete Drying and Storage Paddy Facility, estimated to cost $1,568,374,099. The second part pertains to the construction of the foundation for the facility, with an estimated cost of $1,167,571,472.
Bidding is scheduled to open on August 5, 2025, at the office of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).
The Department of Public Information (DPI) previously reported that Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha met with Essequibo rice farmers, millers, and truck drivers in April to discuss issues affecting the industry.
At that meeting, the minister revealed that the government is actively working to establish a facility to assist with drying farmers’ paddy.
“We had a situation on the Essequibo Coast where some regular buyers were unable to take in paddy because they did not have the capacity. This is why we have to develop a system on the Coast where we can have drying facilities so that farmers can benefit,” the minister stated.
He explained that the proposed facility will be able to accommodate approximately 500,000 bags of paddy.
“We can work out a system to determine the best management model — maybe a consortium of farmers. I was speaking to the President about it. This is not to take away business from anyone. We are ensuring that we promote higher yields and a maximum price for farmers’ paddy,” he said.
The minister further noted the rationale for recent government intervention:
“Although there is the world market price, for every bag of paddy sold to the millers, we are contributing to ensure farmers receive $4,000 per bag. Our projection for this crop is about 9,000,000 bags of paddy, since 232,000 acres were cultivated for the first crop of 2025,” he explained.
With production levels on the rise, Minister Mustapha also stated that additional avenues are being explored to help secure new markets for Guyana’s rice.
