The Ministry of Agriculture is advising farmers to refuse to let the current El Nino situation hinder the significant progress made over the years while focusing their efforts on recovery.
Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud said the agriculture sector must be modernised and upgraded in keeping with current needs and technological advances in an effort to override such challenges.
The minister was speaking at the Guyana Rice Development Board’s (GRDB’s) technology highlights forum held at the Rice Research and Extension Centre Burma, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.
He noted that the challenges facing the rice sector are dynamic in nature and dictate that the ministry equips farmers to adequately respond to such eventualities.
The minister said there are plans to modernise the station so that it can offer an improved quality of service to rice farmers.
Minister Persaud stated that in the coming years, technology that was once non-existent will create a significant shift in the development of the agriculture sector.
With the establishment of the Veterinary Research Lab and Diagnostic Facility, agriculture research must be modernised and upgraded to a level in keeping with the needs of the farming community.
“The Rice Research Station is not about providing research for yesteryear but it must focus on the current and future…We want to make it a high class station and there is so much more the station can deliver,” Minister Persaud said.
With regards to rice cultivation, the minister stressed that the centre is working on developing those varieties which can exist in both extremes of dry and wet conditions.
Minister Persaud mentioned that improved technology can now be used to reduce cost and increase profitability while addressing consumer concerns about the overuse of chemicals as new rice varieties are developed which attract greater yield and fewer pests.
During brief remarks, Chairman of Region Five Harrinarine Baldeo encouraged farmers to withstand the difficult circumstances and take full advantage of the technology, service and assistance offered by the GRDB.
He remarked that the region has the largest expanse of land, 68,000 acres, under rice cultivation.
Manager of GRDB, Jagnarine Singh disclosed that the board will reintroduce the annual open day activities which serve to enlighten farmers on the role of the Rice Board.
The Agriculture Ministry is currently engaged in a nationwide drive of necessary interventions to ensure that farmers experience minimal loss due to the extremely dry conditions.