At Farmers Exchange…
FARMERS from across the rice producing regions were, on Monday, given an insight into the operations of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the opportunity to exchange experiences and learn best practices.
The occasion was a Farmers Exchange at the GRDB’s Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne Research Sub-Station.
It was one of several activities to mark Agriculture Month being observed under the theme ‘Fighting Global Hunger through Agricultural Diversification’.
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, who was present, urged famers to be more aware.
“We want to create the new farmer who can succeed in a changing environment…if we do not make the changes and adapt, then we will have problems,” he warned.
Mr. Persaud said, by failing to adapt in the past, the rice sector suffered tremendously and that mistake must not be made again.
He emphasised the need for farmers to be aware of international market movements, knowledge which would see them better placed to negotiate and function in the sector.
Persaud explained that, if farmers are in sync with the happenings on the market, then they will be better able to understand the linkages to the local sector and impacts of changes which occur internationally.
He acknowledged that much more will have to be done, in terms of working with farmers to make them aware, but noted this is an investment to be made by his ministry, because not knowing has perils of its own.
Persaud admitted that Guyana is very vulnerable when it comes to changes on the international market and, in this light, will continue to encourage farmers to be market savvy.
Many benefits

He said the GRDB, as well as the Rice Producers’ Association (RPA), has a role to play in support of farmers, particularly through the Field School sessions, from which they can derive many benefits.
Persaud said, with more knowledge, farmers can advance to become processors and even exporters of their products.
According to him, a group of rice farmers in Essequibo have taken up the challenge and are using the Venezuela deal to advance their ambitions.
Persaud said those farmers not only plant but harvest, dry, store and export their produce.
“We are also looking to work with individuals with the capacity to get more involved in the processing of the products…we want to create the new farmer,” he said.
Chairman of Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha, in his remarks on the programme, observed that the region, as a major contributor to the rice sector, has seen significant improvements.
He reported that, in the last three years, rice has seen improvements in infrastructure and partnerships to realise the Region’s full production potential.
Mustapha challenged farmers to play their part and be responsible enough to use the investments in a sustainable way.
“We are making changes and we want these developments to last for our children,” he said.
RPA General Secretary, Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj agreed that improving productivity has to do with good rice varieties and farming practices.
In that context, he mentioned the need for farmers to do more to improve their farming practices and work in partnership with other stakeholders.
General Manager, Mr. Jagnarine Singh said GRDB remains committed to ensuring success in the sector through the provision of supportive services to farmers.
A highlight of the programme was GRDB’s Advanced Yield Trail (AYT), which is looking at development of new local varieties, in partnership with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and other entities.
There are 26 new AYT types which may, eventually, be introduced after experiments being carried out in Regions Six, Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), Four (Demerara/Mahaica) and Five (Mahaica/Berbice).
The new categories being tested are location specific, as well as other common ones which can do well in all the rice producing regions.