Jagnarine Singh
Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) General Manager Jagnarine Singh said some 300,000 tonnes of rice is expected to be produced in the first crop of this year.
Singh, speaking with Guyana Times International in a recent interview, noted that over the years, the rice production in Guyana has continued to grow exponentially, due to the hard work of farmers over the years.
The general manager said this year more land is being put under cultivation, pointing out that Guyana is set for another record-breaking year of production.
Last year, the industry produced some 400,000 tonnes of rice, exporting to varying importers around the world.
Singh said production this year is expected to top 600,000 tonnes, 50,000 tonnes more than that what was previously expected. The target for the first crop is also 100,000 tonnes more than production achieved last year.
The GRDB general manager said he is optimistic that the industry will achieve its target, despite some hiccups earlier in the year.
Dharamkumar Seeraj
Last month, Airy Hall rice farmers were affected by severe flooding following a massive breach in the water conservancy in their village. The breach had resulted in some 150 acres of rice cultivation being destroyed due to flooding.
The farmers were also hit by a pest infestation, when some strange “green looking” worms invaded their fields.
The “heart worm” pest, as it is being called, is stunting rice fields, which were replanted subsequent to the flooding in January. This problem is being addressed.
Singh said there are talks with other countries to buy rice from Guyana. These include African nations, England, Columbia and Caribbean territories such as Haiti, Belize and Jamaica.
Optimistic
He said despite the unrest in Venezuela, he is optimistic that the Guyana-Venezuela rice trade would not be affected.
The GRDB general manager said given the increase in rice production, some amount of decrease in prices is expected on the local and international markets, citing the demand and supply theory.
Regarding the operations of rice mills, Singh told GTI that so far only 40 plus mills have been licensed so far by the GRDB to operate.
Last year, the GRDB registered some 72 mills. As part of the licensing system, mills are required to go through rigorous inspecting by both the rice board and the Guyana National Bureau of Standards.
Meanwhile, Rice Producers Association General Secretary Dharamkumar Seeraj told this publication that harvesting has already commenced and is expected to last until August. He reported that over 220,000 acres of rice has already been harvested in Essequibo and some areas of Region Six.
The RPA general secretary also noted that all licensed rice mills are in operation and readily accessible by farmers.
In October 2013, the rice industry produced a record production, surpassing its 500,000 tonnes target.
