Rice processing equipment repaired

Responding to a question in the Senate, Gopee-Scoon said that equipment is 25 years old but she has been advised that the problem which caused a breakdown in rice processing has been rectified.

She said this was important in terms of placing more locally produced rice in supermarkets and reducing the importation of foreign parboiled rice.

Gopee-Scoon also said NFM is in the process of evaluating certain proposals and this exercise should be completed in June.

The minister said this would not affect arrangements between the company and rice farmers. On reports of the closure of some senior citizens activity centres, Gopee-Scoon said two were closed because of “poor management practices.” She said the Social Development Ministry is undertaking a review of the operations of the remaining centres. Gopee- Scoon stated this review would be completed by mid-April and a note would be sent to Cabinet.