SOME 98 per cent of the 97,000 hectares of rice lands under cultivation for the first crop of 2015 has been harvested to date; and production stands at 550,000 tonnes of paddy, from which 360,000 tonnes of rice have been processed. The two per cent of rice lands still to be harvested are in Regions Five (Mahaica/Berbice) and Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne).

Head of the Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA), Mr Dharamkumar Seeraj, in an invited comment yesterday, told the Guyana Chronicle that the average yield to date is 5.7 tonnes of paddy per hectare, and that this is a record high. He said that prices being paid to farmers are as follows: the extra A-grade quality rice is attracting sums of between $3,200 and $3,300 per bag, while the lowest graded quality of rice is being sold at prices of between $2,400 and $2,600 per bag. Rice that has been graded at A, B and C are priced at between $2,800 and $3,300 per bag.

Last year was another record-breaking year for the rice industry. Production was recorded at 635,238 tonnes, of which 501,208 tonnes were exported. Production in the final crop of 2014 surpassed that of the first crop, which recorded just over 300,000 tonnes. Comparatively, the first crop of 2015 has been significantly better.

SECOND CROP UNDERWAY
Seeraj noted that, with only two per cent of the rice crop left to be harvested, land preparation for the second rice crop of 2015 has been completed in most of the rice producing regions. “Land preparation continues in Regions 5 and 6,” he said.

He also said that sowing has commenced in Regions 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam), 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) and 4 (Demerara/ Mahaica). “So far, we have sown 1,900 hectares in Region 2; another 2,100 hectares in Region 3; and 3,700 hectares in Region 4. In Regions Five and Six, 27,200 hectares and 4,000 hectares has been sown respectively,” Seeraj said.

The RPA Head noted that, given the weather conditions, the high levels of rainfall, “minor” losses of rice is expected in Region 2, which traditionally starts and ends its rice crop earlier than the other regions.

“We will lose some rice — not much — in Region 2. It will be the early rice,” he said.

EXPORTS
On the question of exports, Seeraj disclosed that hiccups with shipping, in particular the discharge process, has somewhat slowed exports to Venezuela; but exports to that country are otherwise on track. As per the most recent agreement, exports to that neighbouring country will include 120,000 tonnes of paddy and 74,000 tonnes of rice.

He added that private rice exporters have also sent off shipments to Panama. Guyana currently has export agreements with several countries in the Caribbean.

Also, given the continuous success of the rice industry, efforts are being made to secure a greater foothold in Nicaragua and other Central American countries, including Belize and Panama. Markets in Africa are also being courted.

The target for rice exports in 2015 is some 514,000 tonnes, while the target for rice production is 618,000 tonnes.

By Vanessa Narine