After 2010 releases…
TWO new strains of the grain, GRDB 9 and GRDB 10 were developed in the past year,  General Manager of Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Mr. Jagnarine Singh disclosed. He also said development of a flood-tolerant variety is ongoing at the Burma Rice Research Station which is currently making progress with the process that includes farmers as well as scientists.
Singh said the experiments are being undertaken in light of the flooding to which Guyana rice lands are susceptible.
He explained that flood is a major constraint in the rice sector and, sometimes, the reason entire crops are lost.
Chief Scientist and Plant Breeder at Burma, Dr. Mahendra Persaud is spearheading the process and said the new strain is expected to be able to tolerate flood conditions for up to two weeks.
The resistant variety has a sub one gene that allows rice to survive complete submergence for up to 17 days, he explained.
However, before its release, stringent lab and field tests, cooking and milling of it have to be conducted and, if it does not meet the requisite standards, it would not be released.
Developing a strain takes years and the flood-tolerant type can be available in another three or four years, Persaud said.
He said this type of genetic improvement in rice has only been successfully achieved in India and Bangladesh.
Noting that growth and development of the industry remains a top priority, Persaud  said, as such, the Research Station has been supporting the current Administration’s vision for the sector, by working tirelessly to employ technologies to significantly reduce the impact of severe weather on farmers.
The Burma Station and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) are collaborating on the development of the rice strain being tested.
IRRI is the world’s premier rice institution and has experience in developing a similar strain in India and Bangladesh and it is getting assistance from GRDB and the Rice Producers Association (RPA).
Prior to GRBD 9 and GRDB 10, 10 blast-resistant varieties were released and focus is also being placed on developing an aromatic variety, tolerant to salt and disease resilient.  
Burma has also, over the past three years, developed 5,000 breeding lines and is tasked with maintaining the genetic quality of each. (Vanessa Narine)