He told the Guyana Chronicle that harvesting in Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) is some 30 per cent complete with generally good yields, except with some farmers whose fields were affected by the red rice.

Seeraj pointed out that yields in the affected fields ranged from 20 to 25 bags per acre while those unaffected were obtaining 33 bags per acre with a few getting more.

He said even though the yield is acceptable, the price for the staple is below farmers’ expectations because collectively they were hoping to earn $4,000 per bag for their paddy.

Unfortunately, he noted the market situation and the global economic downturn have triggered a price depression not only in Guyana, but other rice producing countries world over.

Seeraj stressed that most of Guyana’s rice is exported to Europe which is undergoing the financial turmoil and as a result the price for the local commodity has dipped.

He said too most that the global stock to use ratio is now in a more conformable position and counties that were restricting exports have now free up their restrictions allowing for more rice to be traded.

The RPA General Secretary said harvesting in Region 3 (West Demerara/ Essequibo Island) has been affected by the rains as well as the transportation of paddy from the fields.

Seeraj lamented that the inclement weather has affected the preparation of access roads to rice fields but he has recently met with farmers and senior regional officials to discuss ways and means to grade and shape dams to make transportation easier.

He emphasised that farmers have been advised to conserve on their spending as they are likely to run at a loss given the prevailing prices.

Prices in Essequibo he said range from $2,300 to $2,700 per bag for paddy but most farmers are getting $2500.

He said the $2,700 is given for the Extra A Grade rice which few farmers will benefit from, but is hoping the situation improves.

According to Seeraj farmers who adequately service their crop are enjoying a fairly good harvest and will be able to break even this crop.

“Those earning $2,500 and less should be faced with some difficulties because the situation today is the exact opposite for the first crop of 2008. For the first crop of 2008, prices for inputs then was very low compared to today, and at the end of the harvesting season in March and April last year, prices were very high for paddy,” he explained.

During that period, he said farmers made some good turnovers on their investment, but the situation took a reverse this crop with prices for fertiliser ranging from $10,000 to $12,000 per bag and fuel $900 to $1,000 per gallon. The latter has since declined to $700 per gallon.

He underlined that harvesting in Region 4 (Demerara/ Mahaica) has been moving smoothly with farmers earning $2,600 per bag for their paddy and Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne) farmers $2,500 per bag.

Harvesting recently started in Region Five (Mahaica/ Berbice) and is expected to kick into high gear by this month end.

However, he was optimistic that the next season is not going to be that bad as inputs have come down and paddy should be around $ 4,000 per bag.