Rice farmers in Mahaicony and contiguous areas will now be able to receive quality seed paddy with less money spent following the commissioning of two 10-tonne seed paddy facilities at the Burma Rice Research Station in Burma, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud (fourth from right) in discussion with officials of the rice industry following the commissioning of the seed-drying facility
The Gy$30 million facility, which is part of a Gy$110 million modernisation upgrade of the research station, was commissioned by Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud on April 01st.
The other parts of the project include a laser leveller and a laboratory.
Addressing farmers gathered at the commissioning ceremony, Persaud said the need for the station was foreseen, as farmers go to much trouble to get paddy dried at the MARDS Rice Station, in a process that is both costly and time-consuming.
“Quality seed paddy and efficiency are important, that is why we have this new, modernised facility.” The facility has the capability to produce up to 20,000 bags of seed a day, but right now it is being under-utilised, with only about 12,000 bags of paddy being produced.
Persaud urged farmers to be conscious of the developments in the industry and to move along with them. Previously, farmers were using the concrete drying floors at the rice station to dry their paddy.
This new facility can dry paddy of the new flood varieties that were introduced by the Guyana Rice Development Board in 2010. Persaud said government was always working to modernise the sugar, rice, and even the livestock and crops sectors.
All of this ties in with the development drive of not only the rice sector, but the agriculture sector by extension. “We believe each aspect of the sector can grow, our country can grow to benefit.” Efforts are underway to build a new state-of-the-art abattoir at Coldingen, East Coast Demerara, and a testing lab to explore tissue culture. A scientist from China is expected to arrive in Guyana by mid-April to work with local personnel on these projects.
Persaud said that farmers are receiving support promised to help them recover following flooding caused by heavy rains over the past three weeks. Seventy-one rice farmers from the Mahaicony Creek area experienced heavy losses in their rice crops; and apart from agricultural support, they will receive monetary assistance to help them get through this difficult period.
Guyana Rice Development Board President Jagnarine Singh said that the Burma Rice Research Station will greatly improve the lives of farmers and help to produce greater yields.
The project has also been lauded by farmers for giving them the opportunity to dry seeds even when the weather is bad. The Agriculture Ministry also handed over a quantity of equipment to the research station, and a few farmers were awarded with certificates for their continued support of the industry.
