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Despite crop losses, GRDB boasts of impressive harvest
…but farmers bitter about low prices
East Bank Essequibo rice farmers are appealing for intervention.
The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) said it has recorded an impressive second crop harvest.
The declaration came although there are concerns from over 200 rice farmers that some 34,000 acres in Region Two are affected by poor yield. They also complain about low prices for their produce.
According to the GRDB, figures acquired have shown Regions Four, Five, Six and Nine thus far, exceeded the national average of 35 bags per acre and reaching 38 bags per acre.
General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Mr. Nizam Hassan, said while harvesting has not yet been completed four regions have already exceeded the projected national average with Regions Two and Three slightly behind.
Thus far, Region Two at the end of October harvested 97.5 percent of total harvest with 34 bags per acre. Region Three stands at 97.4 percent harvest with 32 bags per acre.
The Guyana Rice Producers Association (GRPA) shared that at the time nearing harvesting in Region Two, a severe paddy-bug infestation devastated thousands of acres, resulting in significant damage to the grains and in many instances, rendering it uneconomical to even harvest the crop.
Some plots were also affected by fungal disease.
To compound the situation, the Association stated that farmers have complained about the low prices ranging from $200 to $1500 per bag of paddy – prices that are nowhere near the $6,000 per bag promised in 2015 by the Government.
“The question must be asked about why the infestation was not detected early and why the necessary precautions were not taken and the necessary advisory sent out.
The pattern of neglect and lack of concern for the agricultural sector demonstrated by the current administration shows no sign of abating,” the Association stated.
They called on the Ministry of Agriculture and the Government to immediately take the necessary action to address the plight of farmers, especially those in Region Two, who are severely affected by low prices and those who were unable to harvest their crop.
“The few farmers who do not owe the banks or other service providers will not have their homes taken away, but for the hundreds who owe some banks and equipment providers, the writing is on the wall.
“The rice sector, as well as crops and livestock farmers, is confronted on a daily basis with rising cost of production because of new taxes and increases in existing taxes,” the association pointed out.
GRDB stated that farmers have prevailed despite the many challenges, ensuring that the rice industry continues on an up-ward trend.
“Region Four has already completed harvesting and has a recorded 43.4 bags per ace which is commendable while Regions Five, Six and Nine have not yet completed harvesting. At the end of October they recorded 37.3; 42.0 and 46.0 bags per acre, respectively,” the General Manager noted.
Of the rice growing regions in Guyana, Regions Four, Six and Nine are leading in terms of the number of bags per acre farmers received. This the General Manager credits to not only the sterling contribution of the farmers, but also to the work of the extension arm of the GRDB, the contribution of the newly introduced GRDB 15, and the adoption of the six-point practice system.
The six-point management practice system has been introduced across Guyana. It deals with the time of sowing, planting density, seed treatment, a balanced fertilization, weed control and an effective water management.
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