GUYANA Rice Development Board (GRDB), with assistance from Agro Services International Inc. Research consultant, Dr. Terrence Fullerton, has developed a technique to prevent the growth of red rice.

Red rice accounts for between eight to ten per cent losses in the total production annually and GRDB Extension Manager, Mr. Kuldip Ragnauth confirmed that the new methodology has proved to be effective.

But he told a recent farmers exchange meeting at Weldaad, West Coast Berbice, that it is still in the experimental stage with foreign expertise.

The strategy entails the soaking of a 10 foot piece of rope in glyphosate (a chemical that kills weed) and passing it over the affected cultivation.

A demonstration of it was staged for the benefit of visiting planters from the various rice growing regions and some who have used the innovation reported remarkable success.

The farmers gathered also had the opportunity to observe and listen to the experiences of those who plant in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) and have adapted the GRDB six points improved crop management practices that surrounds timely sowing, plant density, seed treatment, weed control, balanced use of fertilisers and sound water management.

Emphasis was placed, as well, on balanced nutrition, a new component added to the six points scheme designed to maximise production.

Piloted
According to Ragnauth, the balanced nutrition component is being piloted by 30 farmers throughout the rice belt.

Several of them who are utilising the six points system told the Guyana Chronicle that, prior to the programme, they reaped 28 bags of paddy per acre in comparison to between 38 and 40 bags they now harvest from the same acreage.

The oral interaction was followed by a discussion at Burma Rice Research Station, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, where farmers employing the six points gave a detailed account of their experiences and provided clarification to the visitors.

Some of those visiting emphasised the necessity for the planters in Berbice to employ proper broadcasting techniques and said GRDB extension officers have to pay more attention in this area as they are not doing enough.

But Fullerton, who has worked in several Latin American and Caribbean countries, lauded the GRDB extension officers as the best with whom he has associated although he acknowledged there is still room for improvement.

One farmer, Mr. Ganga Persaud, from Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), asked why, if the local extension service is so good, farmers are still reaping about 30 bags of paddy per acre.

Another expert, Dr. Edward Pulver agreed more research has to be done to improve production yield through collaboration between researchers and extension officers.

He advised that farmers adapt innovative changes to increase their productivity and competitiveness or they will suffer the consequences.

Pulver exhorted them to attend field school sessions, noting that such attendance will greatly improve the way they do things.

The six points practice, without the added balanced nutrition component, was introduced in 2007 and is geared towards enhancing farmers’ productivity.

The GRDB has since collaborated with the Rice Producers Association (RPA) to host some 150 field demonstrations for the introduction and trained 3,000 farmers in its usage.

Ragnauth said farmers’ response to the initiative has been very encouraging but high inputs cost, millers’ slow payments to farmers and inadequate drainage and irrigation have affected its proliferation.