THE current rice crop on Essequibo Coast is blooming despite recent heavy rainfall.

Reports said the plants are in various stages of growth as all the fields were not sown at the same time.

But 35, 000 acres are under cultivation and it is anticipated that production will surpass the projected target of one million bags at the March/April harvest.

Due to prudent management by the Regional Administration in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) and the drainage and irrigation (D&I) network, the cultivated plots were adequately drained during the December rains.

It was also reported that, since the start of the new year, Region Two has seen hot sunshine and water levels in canals and trenches have dropped, allowing farmers to apply fertilisers.

Meanwhile, at Cozier Agriculture, work is in progress to desilt a two miles long channel and fix the sluice that had been neglected 25 years ago.

Regional Chairman, Mr. Alli Baksh, has pledged to completely rehabilitate the Cozier drainage system and put 6,000 acres more under the plough in 2009. (Rajendra Prabhulall)