THE local rice industry has grown leaps and bounds to become Guyana’s second largest industry and therefore a mainstay of the of national economy and the livelihood of some 40,000 families scattered across the rice growing communities, as well as providing jobs for thousands and creating many spin-off commercial and business enterprises.

On a global scale its production and consumption also ranks high. “Rice is the second largest produced cereal in the world. At the beginning of the 1990s, annual production was around 350 million tons and by the end of the century it had reached 410 million tons. World production totalled 395 million tons of milled rice in 2003, compared with 387 million tons in 2002. This reduction since the end of the previous millennium is explained by the strong pressure put on land and water resources, which led to a decrease of seeded areas in some Western and Eastern Asian countries.” (Source: info. com)

World rice consumption increased 40 percent in the last 30 years, from 61,5 kg per capita to about 85,9 kg per capita (milled rice).

Three consumption models can be distinguished:

– Asian model: average consumption higher than 80 kg/person per year (China: 90kg, Indonesia: 150kg, Myanmar: more than 200kg, the record);

– “PVD subtropical” model: average consumption between 30 and 60 kg/person per year (Colombia: 40kg, Brazil: 45kg, Ivory Coast: 60kg);

– West model: average consumption lower than 10 kg/person per year (France: 4kg, United States: 9kg).

Most rice is consumed in the same country that it is produced. This is one of the most important characteristics of the rice production chain. Domestic rice markets are, therefore, very segmented and often one of the most protected. (Source: FAO)

Except for that dark period in this country’s history when there was economic stagnation and drastic plummeting production in all sectors of the economy, the rice industry thrived well and has contributed significantly to the economic well being of this country. Last year which saw Guyana become a rice-growing country for 100 years also coincidentally saw it making its largest export of the commodity.

In recent years because of improved drainage and irrigation, application of modern technology, duty free concessions and better global market prices we have seen a sharp upswing in the production of rice, despite unusual and unseasonal heavy rainfall severely damaging crops particularly in Region 5, one of the largest rice growing regions in Guyana.

And so the disclosure by the General Secretary of the RPA, Dharamkumar Seeraj, work has begun on the cultivation of some 150 acres of rice in Region 9 marks another boost for the rice industry as well as for the development of that region.

Seeraj made some pointed and pertinent observations on this new initiative. According to him the cultivation will be expanded depending on the success of the programme which aims at making the hinterland region self-sufficient in the staple.

He also observed that this initiative will also be useful, in light of climate change, given the effects of the heavy 2008/2009 December/ January rains that resulted in 17,000 acres of rice field lost to flooding on the coast.

This is indeed a crucial issue because the high lands of Guyana like the Rupununi are less prone to flooding and therefore every effort should be made, including education and training of farmers there, provision of improved infrastructure and financial and technical support.

The development of a sustainable rice industry in that region will also contribute to its economic diversification and provide avenues for increased employment through the need for greater labour, skills and spin-off commercial and business entities.

In addition, neighbouring Brazil could become an important export market and with the completion of the Takutu Bridge which will go into operation soon, transportation across the border will no longer be an impediment.

It is also reassuring, according to Seeraj, that this time around, the Ministry of Agriculture will give its full support in not only ensuring farmers know about planting and harvesting the commodity, but providing the necessary support to make the programme a viable enterprise.

There should now be no delay in pursuing this initiative as it opens a new vista for the people of Rupununi and the local rice industry as a whole and eventually would help boost the national economy.