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Seed paddy sold to farmers is horribly infested

Dec 07, 2015 Letters

Dear Editor,
I have previously written in the press about the poor quality of seed paddy produced and sold to farmers by the GRDB Rice Research Station, now there is a second and more serious occurrence due to poor management and neglect that lead to further deteriorate in seed quality.
The seed paddy currently sold to farmers now is seriously infected with rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae (Linnaeus)) and other storage pest such as the lesser grain borer moth, Angoumois grain moth, etc.
Of these storage pests the rice weevils appear to be the most predominant on the seed paddy sold by the Rice Research Station and it is one of the most destructive grain pests. The adult weevil can lays up to 450 eggs singly in holes chewed in the paddy grains.
During ideal condition, each egg hatches into a white, legless larva, which eats the grain from the inside. The larva pupates within the grain and the adult then chew its way out. The exit holes are characteristic signs of weevil damage. The life cycle takes about one month under Guyana conditions and adults may survive for a further eight months.
The rice weevil has four orange-brown areas on the wing cases, and is about 3mm long with a characteristic rostrum (snout) protruding from its head. It has biting mouth parts at the front of the rostrum and two club-like antennae. The rice weevil is winged and may occasionally fly.
The rice weevil capable to cause a reduction in grain weight from 5 to over 15 % depends on the level of infestation. Grains which are not lost is severely reduced in quality by insect damage.
Many grain pests preferentially eat out grain embryos, thereby reducing the protein content of feed grain and lowering the percentage of seeds which germinate.
It is my view and form communication with my fellow farmers the seed paddy at the GRDB Rice Research Station sold showed very pronounced sign of grain damages with high number of holes visible, which means that these storage pest had a long uninterrupted feast and the ideal condition (such as improper packing and spacing, incorrect heights, poor sanitation etc) prevail in the area where the seeds were stored.
The damages will certainly affect the percentage seed germination and field establishment of the rice in this coming crop. Farmers who purchase to be alert and apply some kind of seed treatment (either cultural, mechanical or chemical) and prevent further grain damage if seeds still in store.
The Minister of Agriculture and Chairman and directors of GRDB board need to investigate and take strong disciplinary action for this serious neglect by some who allowed this damage to occur and farmers to suffer.
Terry Ross

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