RICE MODERNIZATION II

PROJECT COMPONENTS INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION, MANAGERIAL IMPROVEMENT, AND TRAINING. FIVE PADDY STORAGE AND DRYING CENTERS WILL BE CONSTRUCTED, AND SIX WILL BE EXPANDED. THE MAJOR STRUCTURAL FEATURE OF THE DRYING AND STORAGE CENTERS WILL BE ROUND, CONCRETE STORAGE TANKS (20 FT BY 100 FT) CONNECTED BY INTERSTICE WALLS FORMING ADDITIONAL STORAGE SPACE BETWEEN THE TANKS. THREE 10-TON PER HOUR MULTI-STAGE RICE MILLS WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED. THESE MILLS WILL BE LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE DRYING AND STORAGE CENTER TO FACILITATE MOVEMENT OF PADDY VIA ELEVATOR AND CONVEYOR. IN ADDITION, THE GEORGETOWN SHIPPING AND HANDLING FACILITY WILL BE REHABILITATED. REHABILITATION WILL INCLUDE REBUILDING OF THE WHARF AND PILES, CONSTRUCTION OF STORAGE FACILITIES AND PACKING FACILITIES, AS WELL AS A MACHINE SHOP TO SERVICE THESE FACILITIES. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED TO THE GUYANA RICE BOARD TO STRENGTHEN ITS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTING CAPABILITIES. PROBLEMS OF PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE INCLUDING INVENTORY CONTROL, COST ACCOUNTING, AND FINANCIAL REPORTING WILL BE ANALYZED. IN-COUNTRY TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED TO FOLLOW-UP AND EXPAND ON THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. THREE SEMINAR COURSES ARE PLANNED IN INVENTORY CONTROL, COST ACCOUNTING, AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. ON-SITE INSTRUCTION WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED AT EACH FACILITY IN OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE. LASTLY, 7 ACCOUNTING MACHINES AND 40 DESK CALCULATORS WILL BE PURCHASED BY THE RICE BOARD USING PROJECT FUNDS. BENEFICIARIES WILL BE SMALL FARM RICE PRODUCERS INCLUDING 19,600 FARM FAMILIES OR 137,300 PEOPLE. PROJECT WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE THROUGH THE GUYANA RICE BOARD.