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Berbice facing paddy bug outbreak – GRDB
– Farmers urged to spray fields simultaneously
By Leonard Gildarie
Authorities are monitoring a possible outbreak of paddy bug which is threatening Berbice rice farmers who are now attempting to recover from the ravages of the El Nino phenomenon.
Officials of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Burma research facility, yesterday disclosed that several meetings were held last week and the entity has been advising farmers on how to fight the bug.
Most heavily affected areas include the Mahaicony River, Region Five, and several communities up to Black Bush Polder, East Berbice, have also reported presence of the bug which sucks the rice, leaving empty shells behind.
Berbice area is under close monitoring over a possible outbreak of the paddy bug
While it is difficult to assess how much losses would have occurred because of ongoing harvesting in the chronic areas, Region Five (West Berbice) has already called for technical assistance.
“We had seven meetings with farmers last week and they were warned to use the correct chemicals… and in what quantities,” a senior technician of GRDB said yesterday.
It was found that several farmers discovered the infestations but reported it too late since there were nymphs present in the rice fields which clearly indicated that the bugs were present for some time.
“We are closely monitoring the situation now since the paddy bug has a life span of 30-35 days. So it is a matter of time. It was found in many cases that farmers attempted to handle the situation by spraying too little or too much which, either way, can cause more damage. We are now advising them what to do.”
GRDB said that another challenge that is being faced is the system used by farmers to spray their fields. Farmers would spray one field and by the time the next field is sprayed two days later, the bug is back.
“We are encouraging them to tackle this together. While there is some decrease of the bug’s presence, the reality is that it is still there. We will be meeting with farmers and advising them the correct way forward.”
GRDB, in an advisory, said that paddy bugs (Oebalus poecilus), aka ghundi or stink bug are likely to swarm during the evenings, soon after sunset.
“Farmers should monitor rice fields daily, if possible, at sunset or by sunrise, to check for paddy bug infestation and their egg masses. Egg masses should be crushed or buried. Farmers planting in the same block are advised to spray at the same time. Fields in the flowering stage should not be sprayed between the hours of 08:00 and 15:00 hrs.”
According to the GRDB, some of the insecticides to be used include Fastac, Ninja, Pronto, Admire, Flip and Admister. Farmers with insecticides not listed, including Bestac, Pestac, Turpedo, Karate, or other, should contact the Extension Officer in their area for advice.
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