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Two new rice varieties released
Two new lines of rice varieties were on Friday released after the Guyana Rice Development Board conducted successful trials and evaluations.
The aim of the rice breeding program, Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud said, is to develop varieties superior to the existing ones in yielding ability, disease (blast) resistance, tolerance to lodging, excellent milling, cooking and other characteristics.
Minister Robert Persaud engaged in discussion with Rice Farmers of Cane Grove, E.C.D on Friday last
During a visit to the Cane Grove fields on the East Coast of Demerara, where the trials were conducted, the Minister said that the release of the strains, for use by farmers, is based on a conclusive demonstration of its superiority over best existing varieties in yielding ability and other features to decrease farmers’ existing input cost.
The two new lines, which are to be released for the Autumn Crop 2009, are capable to adapt to effects of climate change and improving yields.
Further, the strains possess good agronomic characters with growth duration similar to that of the existing varieties.
The milling and cooking characteristics are very good also, the Minister said.
On Thursday last, a high level Brazilian team visited the Minister to discuss the cultivation of a new variety of rice in Region Nine.
The team has already undertaken an initial feasibility study, which indicated that the conditions are suitable for the cultivation of the new variety of rice.
Regional Director of RiceTec Markus Ritter said that the new variety provides higher yields and increased benefits to farmers.
He added that the company would work with both Guyana and Brazil counterparts to initiate the necessary protocols to commence this project.
Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud urged that the company consider valued added production to create employment and collaborate with local farmers and officers of the Guyana Rice Development Board for technology transfer.
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