The Burma Rice Research Station of the Guyana Rice Development Board will shortly be getting $60M worth of equipment from Government to upgrade its research capacity.
This disclosure was made by Minister of Agriculture Mr. Robert Persaud during the annual open day for rice farmers held by the GRDB at Burma East Coast Demerara Wednesday.
The Research Station is responsible for research in a number of areas, all aimed at increasing production and productivity within the rice industry.
Their work includes varietal development of rice plants or plant breeding, soil fertility and plant nutrition or agronomy,  weed management,insect management or entomology, disease management or pathology  and     farm management and seed  production.
Minister Persaud said that the $60M boost is indicative of Government’s commitment to developing the rice industry to meet the challenges and opportunities of the present and the future.
After telling the gathering about the equipment soon to be bought and handed over, he challenged the scientists and staffers at the Station to develop varieties which can survive in extreme weather conditions.
He also challenged them to focus research on ways and means of reducing the cost of production of rice crops even while increasing yields.