A TASK force, involving farmers, the Rice Producers Association (RPA), Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and other stakeholders, will be formed to address the impact of the current dry weather on the Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) rice crop.

RPA General Secretary, Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj made the disclosure after a meeting convened on Monday by Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud.

Seeraj said the weather over the past few months has been mostly affecting the Region Six cultivations and the Minister was also with Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Mr. Lionel Wordsworth when he met officials of the Region Six Regional Administration and other stakeholders to discuss the situation.

Seeraj said the task force is to identify areas where critical actions are needed in Black Bush Polder and Numbers 52-74, Corentyne, which have been affected the most.

However, he is optimistic that relief measures will be implemented in the coming weeks. (Tajeram Mohabir)