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Rice industry receives state of the art equipment
Price causes raised eyebrows
The Laser Leveller and tractor that were bought from Farm Supplies LTD.
On Wednesday, the rice industry received a Laser Land Leveller and a John Deere tractor from the government to improve rice cultivation. The two pieces of equipment were bought from Farm Supplies Limited to the tune of $19.6M.
The tractor cost $11M (US$55,000) and the Laser Land Lever another $8.6M (US$43,000). It is the first time that such equipment will be used in the rice industry.
According to the Agriculture Ministry these were obtained through the tendering process that was advertised in the local media and online.
Kaieteur News contacted Farm Supplies and learnt that the price for the largest tractor available was $9M.
It should be noted that prices are less when items are obtained through the tender process, a source said.
The John Deere website offered the same 115-horsepower (HP) and 6415 series tractor for US$38,000 ($7.6M)
In a document obtained by this newspaper the same series and HP was bought by the government for US$55,000 from Farm Supplies Limited. When information about the Laser Land Lever was sought from a representative of Farm Supplies the response was that queries should be directed to the management of that company.
The equipment will be in the care of the Guyana Rice Development Board and farmers can consult that agency if they are desirous of utilising them. Speaking at the handing over ceremony on Wednesday Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud, said the equipment is timely and is aimed at improving efficiency and production in the rice industry.
Additionally it will eradicate the issue of red rice infestation that is common when the land is not properly levelled.
Added to that, it will ensure that less water is used in land cultivation, since the soil requires less water with a properly levelled field.
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