Prolonged dry season blamed for smaller Berbice rice crop

Oct 26, 2009 News

BENGAL FARM, CORENTYNE – The prolonged dry season is being blamed for Berbice farmers harvesting less rice in the second crop than in the last crop.

President of the Guyana Rice Producers’ Association, Leeka Rambrich, explained that the drop in yield was mainly due to the fact that rice fields absorb large volumes of water and run dry rapidly.

In addition, some areas were not receiving enough water.

According to Mr. Rambrich, the Region Six Administration had diverted most if its resources to ease this problem. Mobile pumps were relocated to Number 43 Village and the Eversham Outfall Channels.

That allowed for the excess water to be recycled from Black Bush Polder.

These pumps helped farmers between Number 43 Village and Bush Lot. For those in the Adventure/Whim communities, two of the Mibicuri/Joanna and the Joanna Yakusari Irrigation Canals were closed. This aided the flow of water into the Adventure/Whim areas.

Farmers in the Number 51/Good Hope communities benefited from the placement of an addition tubing across the Yakusari Irrigation Canal.

Harvesting of the 46,980 acre crop commenced in Region Six in September. So far, 9,799 acres have been harvested in the Front Lands (Crabwood Creek to New Forest along with East and West Canje, the East Bank of Berbice and New Amsterdam). The yield for this is 24,497 bags of paddy at an average of 25 bags per acre. In Black Bush Polder, 8,745 acres were gathered with a yield of 23,611 bags at 27 bags per acre.

In the Front Lands 29,992 acres were sown and in Black Bush Polder – 16,988. This represents a 511 acreage increase compared to the first crop (‘Spring Crop’).

A further breakdown reveals that Borlam/East Bank planted 3,100 acres, Borlam/Hogstye – 4,505, Adventure/Number Sixty-two – 12,235, Number Sixty-two/Number Seventy-four -6,727, Crabwood Creek 3,413, Lesbeholden 10,000, and Joanna and Yakusari together 7,000 acres.

In many farming communities, primary land preparation started for the first crop of 2010. So far in the front lands, 2,254 acres were ploughed, while in Black Bush Polder, 5,619 acres were done.

The prevailing dry conditions are ideal for land preparation and farmers are making use of it. Region Six is targeting 48,000 for the 2010 Spring Crop.

Rambrich is optimistic that that figure can be easily realized more so with the continuous cooperation of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Region Six Administration.

Region Six achieved its 47,000-acre target.

Meanwhile, to protect the interests of rice farmers in terms of the low price millers are offering, the Guyana Rice Development Board placed extension officers at all buying centers in Berbice. This is to ensure that farmers are given a fair deal and to look after the concern of the Guyana Rice Development Board as well.

Rice farmers in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) are paid the lowest prices in Guyana for their produce.

There are said to be only two main buyers in this location. One currently pays between $31,000 and $34,000 per tonne of rice and the other – $34,000 to $37,000. This works out to $2,000 and $2,300 per bag of paddy.

In a previous interview, Mr. Rambrich had appealed to the Guyana Rice Development Board to stop approving contracts that offer below US$400 per tonne of rice.

According to him, the present price offered by the European buyers is US$355 per tonne.

Region Six accounts for approximately one-third of the rice produced in Guyana.

Meanwhile, yesterday, the Guyana Rice Producers Association held a one-day conference at Bush Lot on the West Coast of Berbice for farmers on both sides of the Berbice River. The objective was to give farmers a chance to air concerns on issues affecting them as these relate to this present crop.

Latest News

Prolonged dry season blamed for smaller Berbice rice crop

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Reliance Hustlers delighted for Youth Programme support from First...

Relentless Chase demoralize West Dem’ to remain...

AAG makes history with US$300K Adidas sponsorship...

Historic NSC sponsored GGA 2nd Annual National...

St. Lucia’s Elite Blazers takes aim at FIBA...

Petra/Milo U18 Football kicks off Round II action...

Features/Columnists

Teen arrested over uncle’s murder after sharing burial plan with relative

The Caribbean: Destined to Grin and Bear the Consequences of Its Self-Created Vulnerabilities?

IMF report – cup half full, or a cup of Novocain

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Prolonged dry season blamed for smaller Berbice rice crop

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]