Harvesting commences in Mahaica and other areas.
THE Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) is currently monitoring the flood conditions across the rice growing regions. GRDB is pleased to report that farmers are taking every opportunity to harvest the crop and with the recent two opportunity days, harvesters can be seen across the country in all the rice growing regions. In one field as much as four combines were seen harvesting. As a routine exercise, GRDB monitors these activities in the fields as well as in the mills, and this was undertaken since the commencement of the inclement weather conditions. The high levels of water would have
“slowed-up” the harvest, but the surge of activity by farmers shows their
resilience as they do everything possible to “catch-up”. From information
received, the acreage that will be lost is very minimal and will not have any impact on the final production. In addition, GRDB will be
looking forward to a ‘bumper harvest” as the reported yields are
significantly higher than the national average.

GRDB’s senior staff are in the fields providing support to ensure that the harvesting progresses as quickly as possible. The Ministry of Agriculture and its agencies, including the MMA/ADA and NDIA, are assisting farmers with equipment to raise the embankment of their fields. Fuel is also being provided in some critical areas for farmers pumping water out of the fields.

GRDB is advising that, as much as possible, grain carts should be used in
taking out the paddy from the fields. If grain carts are not available,
MMA/ADA will assist in proving this facility. In areas where the canals can be used for transportation, access to punts can be made available. For further details, the extension officer in your area can be contacted.