Latest update April 18th, 2025 8:12 AM
GRDB cautions farmers about paddy bug
– Farmers asked to take precautionary measures for high quality paddy
The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has observed incidences of paddy bugs in all rice producing Regions but not in alarming proportions. And, while it may not be as severe as incidences in 2013 it seems to be increasing in some areas.
In an advertisement in Sunday’s edition of the Chronicle, the GRDB advised rice farmers of precautionary measures needed to effectively manage the occurrence of paddy bug.
According to Dharamkumar Seeraj, General Secretary of the Guyana Rice Producers’ Association, the incidence of paddy bug during this crop is not widespread like in 2013. The advisory is to remind farmers of their responsibilities to monitor their crops and not depend solely on Extension Officers.
Seeraj said that extension officers and farmers are expected to monitor crops daily but last year not much monitoring was done. This is probably because for about four to five years paddy bug was not a problem in the rice industry.
Harvesting of this crop is expected to commence by month-end. Farmers and extension officers need to heighten monitoring of crops to prevent damage to paddy. Paddy bug damage to crops reduces the quality of the paddy that results in the loss of revenue, he said.
According to the advisory, feeding by paddy bug during early grain development stages will result in empty glumes or ‘wind paddy’. And, continued feeding can result in malformation and discolouration of grains.
Therefore, farmers should monitor their fields regularly especially early in the morning and late in the afternoon, as the crop approaches flowering. Alternate hosts such as birdseed and red rice should be removed from fields and dams and meres should be kept clean, the advisory stated.
It was noted that egg masses should be destroyed and in already hatched fields spot spraying can be done with a contact insecticide such as Ninja, Fastac, Bestac, Pestac or Flip. For extended crop protection during grain development farmers can use systemic insecticides. Insecticidal application should either be carried out early morning or late afternoon.
According to an Extension Officer at Anna Regina, Region Two, about 37,120 acres of rice fields are under cultivation. Harvesting is expected to begin next week for those farmers who began planting early.
He believes that unfavourable weather conditions contributed to last year’s crops situations.
There are also incidences of paddy bugs in Mahaicony, Region Five, where 21,450 acres of land are under cultivation.
Neighbouring Region Six has not escaped the paddy bugs. The presence of paddy bugs is also not high but it seems to be increasing. Approximately, 60,000 acres of land is under cultivation. Farmers are also preparing to harvest.
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