Latest update May 22nd, 2026 12:38 AM
Region Nine mega-farm exports 8,000 tonnes rice to Brazil
Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy on Sunday witnessed the loading of
The Sante Fe rice mill at Region Nine.
harvested rice from the Santa Fe Mega Farm investment. The rice was then transported to Brazil.
The cargo rice was first processed at the Santa Fe mill which was constructed by the investors.
This is the third time the Simpson family of Barbados is successfully harvesting rice which is being used to supply the local Region Nine market as well as Brazil, a Government statement said.
The project is hailed as a ground-breaking one for that region not traditionally known for being a rice growing area. Region Nine borders Brazil.
For this year, more than 8000 tonnes of cargo rice has been exported to Brazil.
Santa Fe Inc. investor, Sir Kyffin Simpson, is adamant that the investment at Santa Fe since its inception continues to be a favourable one.
The project modeled its cultivation on techniques used in Brazil as well as those in Guyana. It utilizes a Brazilian expert to guide the process.
“There continues to be progress every time I visit Santa Fe. Such success is a model which shows what can be done in savannah lands,” the Agriculture Minister said.
Ramsammy said that there continues to be tremendous potential for agriculture development in the
Drainage and irrigation infrastructure in place at the Sante Fe Mega Farm, Region Nine.
hinterland which thus far has largely remained untapped.
Since its inception, the project has also welcomed successful harvest of not only rice but cash crop and the production/rearing of piglets, cows and sheep with the investors also involved in the cattle industry.
Minister Ramsammy praised the Santa Fe investors for buying into the idea that Savannah agriculture does not need to be limited to cattle.
The project first started with 120 acres of rice. However, the Simpson family who are also the owners of Sol Group, realized this was not enough and has since significantly expanded their operations.
To date, the Santa Fe project is not only equipped with a certified mill to process the paddy but the necessary infrastructure including drainage and irrigation canals and a pump system.
The project is also set to utilize the savannahs for soya beans and corn cultivation which will significantly aid the Caribbean in reducing its imports of the said commodities and allow for trade and expanded markets within the region.
The project is being managed and supervised by Guyanese Richard Vasconcellos. Of the 60 employees, 57 are Guyanese from Region Nine.
The Agriculture Minister was accompanied by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture Mr. George Jervis, Chief Executive Officer, NAREI, Dr. Oudho Homenauth, Chief Executive Officer, GLDA, Dr. Dindyal Permaul, Chief Executive Officer, NDIA Mr. Lionel Wordsworth, Deputy General Manager, Guyana Rice Development Board, Mr. Rickey Ramraj and Deputy Registrar of the PTTCB Board, Mr. Suresh Singh.
The Santa Fe team included the owner Sir Kyffin Simpson, Chairman of Santa Fe Board of Directors, Mr. Ronald Hardford, President of Itikawa Arroz (rice), Mr. Nelson Itikawa and Guyanese director Mr. Richard Vasconcellos.
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