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And to aid in this, he said the government has invested heavily to improve the capability of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) to conduct the “appropriate” research for the variety.

“Recognising the importance of zinc in our daily lives, the GRDB developed a locally breed rice variety with high levels of zinc content,” the Prime Minister said.

He explained, “in addition to being highly nutritious, this rice is a good economic choice for farmers as it possesses excellent early vigour, a good plant type and high yield potential…that will contribute to increasing the economic growth of our country through preferential prices and increase market value.”

The development of the bio-fortified rice variety, the Prime Minister said will “open the door” to unimaginable opportunities for Guyana.

And he noted that the GRDB has already developed the strategies needed for the cultivation, processing and marketing of the zinc-enriched specialty rice.

“Agriculture is now transitioning towards nutrition rich crops…Bio-fortified rice provides a sustainable alternative option to chemical food addictive,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha said with the cultivation of this variety of rice, farmers will have the opportunity to enjoy preferential prices.

“This variety will not get the same prices as we are getting now for the varieties that are there. I hope this will be a high-yielding variety,” Mustapha said.

He added, “a country like us that is leading the charge today in CARICOM and we want to reduce the food import bill by 25 percent in another two years from now, this is the way to go.”

The Agriculture Minister said he hopes farmers will start to cultivate the bio-fortified rice variety in large scale.

“And Guyana can start have rice where we will have a very healthy supplement and we will improve not only the income of our farmers but improve health of our nation, the Caribbean nation,” he said.

TAEKWONDO

Ceili Peterson certainly looked the part in the Women’s Kyorugi 49 Kg as the 21-year-old, who is based in Canada, impressed with her ability and narrowly missed out on progressing to the next round.

Her Costa Rican opponent, Laura Sancho, won 2-1, as the rounds went 3-2, 12-13, and 6-4.

Peterson expressed she valued the experience and knows what she has perfect for defeating the best.

BOXING

Desmond Amsterdam lost to Argentina’s Gabriel Buonarrigon in his Men’s 80kg contest.

Much was expected of Amsterdam to go deep into the competition, securing a medal and potentially sealing a maiden Olympic qualification.

However, a unanimous decision in favour of the Argentine means he will have to use other options next year to seal his ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The Argentine used his reach and height to the advantage, and while Amsterdam struck the body with powerful combinations, he was lined up for some hard-hitting right punches.

BADMINTON

A nagging knee injury forced Priyanna Ramdhani to retire hurt in her Round-of-32 clash with top-ranked Brazilian Juliana Vieira.

The Brazilian won the opening set 21-6 and was up 11-0 when Ramdhani was forced to retire hurt, ending her campaign.

Events for Team Guyana on Sunday (October 21)

Swimming

• Alika Persaud – Women’s 100M Butterfly – 09:22h.

Weightlifting

• Krystol Chanderban – Women’s 59kg 12:00h – 13:30h.
• Shammah Noel – Men’s 89kg 15:45h – 17:00h.

Boxing (Men’s 63.5 kg)

• Joel Williamson (GUY) v (DOM) Miguel De La Cruz – 18:00h.

“As we seek to transform the regional agri food system towards food commercialisation, improve the sustainability of the agriculture sector in the region and reduce the region’s high food import bill, we are developing cooperation with countries that have some of the best agriculture practices and Cuba is one such country,” Ramraj said.

He added, “Guyana’s forest has great potential for apiculture. If exploited, it can create employment and sustainable income for the population residing in the hinterland area…and will allow for the increase of the production of honey to meet the 25 by 2025 initiative allowing Guyana to become an exporter of honey in CARICOM.”

According to Ramraj, the agreement will allow for mutual projects including urban and sub urban agriculture, genetic improvement and seed production of rice and other grains, advice on plant health, safe and effective use of pesticide production and conservation in the use of biological products.

And to enhance this, Ramraj noted that “very soon” Guyana will be signing a technical assistance agreement with Cuban company, CADEK, which will allow for technical assistance for bee keepers, advice on monitoring bee population, trained veterinary technician in the branch of bee keeping, identifying diseases of bee and necessary treatment which will boost the honey industry in Guyana.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Luis said the agreement is a clear indication of the expansion of ties between the two countries.

“We believe this is a very important step towards achieving greater food security, food production,” he said.

He added, “Guyana has a main goal, in CARICOM in the area of food security and production and Cuba is part of that effort. So, we are making our contribution in that area.”

According to the Ambassador, Cuba looks forward to the beginning the “new chapter” to achieve “bigger and better” results.

“We will work with the Ministry of Agriculture in Guyana to bring about technical services and to showcase opportunities also in the area of business and production. So, we can join forces with Guyana in order to achieve these outcomes,” he said.

“The two girls were hustling to open the door and my small daughter say ‘fire! fire!’

“My son was hustling to pull the girls out…” she said.

The boy took his sisters to safety and by the time he returned to save his grandmother, the fire had already consumed the entire house and blocked the front door.

Johnson said her mother collapsed near the exit and her son could not get in to save her.

“By the time my son run back to save mommy, the fire was too much for him to get to her…” a distraught Johnson said.

She added that her seven-year-old daughter relayed to her that she was sleeping with her grandmother when she began feeling extremely hot. She said she woke up and saw the fire coming from the clothes hanger area and that’s when they all tried to escape with her grandmother just behind.

By that time, neighbours summoned the fire service and Johnson said she called the Central Police Station operations room.

She said the fire service took some time to arrive even though they are located a mere two minutes away. She is of the opinion that if they arrived earlier more could have been saved.

Johnson said her mother was her everything and while she is grateful that her children are alive, the tragic loss of her mom has left her devastated.

An investigation into the fire has since been launched.