Farmers at Evergreen in the field.

GRDB Extension Manager, Mr. Kuldip Ragnauth addressed the scores of farmers who attended from Regions Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/Berbice) and Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) on an experimental plot.

He told them the purpose was to showcase the strategy and allow for interaction with each other about it.

Ragnauth said the programme is a joint undertaking by GRDB, RPA the Fertiliser Corporation of America and Agro-Service International Laboratory and executed by the first, through its Extension Department.

He said the whole idea is to evaluate the impact of balanced nutrition on rice fields and is an ongoing effort by GRDB to improve farmers’ livelihood by improving varieties, yield potential and application of the six points practice.

Ragnauth said two new varieties were released this season and the yield potential is 45 bags per acre but he warned that, if the six points practice is not properly applied, farmers will not derive the full benefit.

The six improved crop management practices involve date of sowing, density of plants, treatment of seeds, weed control, fertilisation and water management.

Chairman of Region Two, Mr. Alli Baksh encouraged the planters to adopt them, so as to increase their production.

Also in attendance at the field school were GRDB General Manger, Mr. Jagnarine Singh, RPA General Secretary, Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj and Extension Field Officers from Regions Two, Three, Four and Six.