Today much has changed and while the industry continues to make its impact on national development, its percentage of export revenue has reduced.

Circumstances over the last few years have contributed to a reduction of output in the sector. Prolonged adverse weather conditions, attacks by pests, the indebtedness of farmers and millers and falling market prices have all taken their toll on the industry.

For some time the Government has recognised the need to revolutionise the industry especially in light of the many challenges posed by globalisation and trade liberalisation.

A 10-year (2001-2011) strategic plan that brings together the Government and private stakeholders in the industry, in a partnership that will see improved production and productivity has been developed.

The goal of this plan is "to create an integrated and sustainable rice industry that can produce, process and competitively market high quality rice for the benefit of all Guyanese".

The plan has three broad objectives:

- Increase production and productivity to internationally competitive standards.

This would involve formulating and redefining national policies to support the development of the industry while opening access for farmers to new technologies and methods.

Land and water usages are being coordinated, and systems to efficiently maintain and operate drainage and irrigation facilities are being put in place.

The plan involves establishing deep-water ports that meet the needs of the rice industry, and support bulk storage and loading facilities.

It is recognised that the activities of the various agencies involved in research, such as the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Burma Research Station would have to be closely co-ordinated. Research and extension personnel will actively apply their skills at the farm level and will in turn provide farmers with information on production and post-harvesting technologies.

This will call for a complement of highly skilled staff with competence in rice research technology transfer, seed production and other essential services. Research will be directed towards high-yielding varieties that are multiple disease resistant and tolerant to adverse weather.

Farmers will have access to quality laboratories for soil testing and plant analysis in addition to farm inputs and credit at fair market prices.

- Improve the post harvest handling systems to the point where quality is maintained or improved and quantity losses are reduced to the minimum.

- The plan projects increasing profit margins by adding value to rice and by-products where feasible.

This aspect of the plan will also call for increased training. It is proposed that a training manual for farmers and millers on existing problems and improved methods for collecting, drying, cleaning, storing and transporting rice be published. Stakeholders should be trained in appropriate techniques.

Re-defining paddy grading standards and a milling manual with guidelines for milling each variety of rice will be considered.

Stakeholders in the industry will need to examine options and strategies for adding value to their rice and by-products and to support a national strategy that promotes Guyana's rice.

- Create conditions whereby the Guyana rice industry can compete effectively in all targeted markets.

- The plan will support the creation of a rice information system that will be based on surveys that identify information needs of various stakeholders.

It proposes that a small unit be established with the necessary human, physical and financial resources needed to generate required decision-making information on a timely basis.

The 10-year strategic plan for the rice industry was developed through funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and is cognisant of the recommendations coming from the CARIFORUM/EU consultancy on the feasibility of the local rice industry.

The European Union, which is Guyana's main rice export market, has expressed its commitment to assist with the development of the industry.

This commitment is based on the Declaration XXIV annexed to the Cotonou Agreement "Joint Declaration on Rice".

The Declaration acknowledges the importance of the rice industry for a number of ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) countries, Guyana included, in terms of employment, foreign exchange revenues and social and political stability.

The 10-year plan to revolutionise the rice industry is a bold attempt by the Government to revitalise the sagging fortunes of rice.