Guyana is on track to surpass its ambitious target of 700,000 tonnes of rice production this year, with Region Six playing a significant role in this achievement. The region has recorded an impressive yield of 6.7 tonnes per hectare, marking a major success for both farmers and the Ministry of Agriculture.
According to Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, this milestone highlights the resilience and hard work of farmers across the country, who are nearing the completion of their harvest. The minister also noted that earlier concerns over paddy bugs, which posed a serious threat at the start of the crop, were managed effectively.
“Earlier in the crop, we had a serious threat from paddy bugs. We convened a meeting at Albion to address the issue, and thanks to the solutions implemented, we were able to control it to a certain extent,” Minister Mustapha said. He further stated that farmers have experienced minimal damage from paddy bugs during this crop.
In addition to managing pests, the Ministry of Agriculture is preparing to launch a new variety of paddy, which is expected to further enhance production. The upcoming GRDB-18 variety is said to have a higher yield potential and the ability to withstand longer periods of development without lodging—a common issue in other rice varieties. This follows the successful introduction of GRDB-16 and Biofortified Rice.
Region Six Chairman has also reported positive developments in rice production within the region, particularly in the Black Bush Polder area. The average yield has increased from 41 bags per acre in previous crops to 42 bags per acre for the current season.
However, the Chairman noted challenges related to the timing of planting, emphasizing that some farmers have not been adhering to the recommended planting schedule, which leads to financial strains, especially in water management and drainage.
“Late planting during the May/June rains has caused issues with harvesting, leading to damage to dams and other infrastructure. Farmers need to plant within the designated period to align with the weather patterns,” he noted.
The News Desk has learned that approximately 69,000 acres of rice are under cultivation for the current crop in Region Six, further contributing to the country’s overall production goals.
