– GRDB General Manager
LOCAL rice production is on target for 2012, despite the inclement weather that the country has experienced over the last few months. Consequently, an aggregate of some 200,000 tons can be expected at the end of both crops, General Manager of Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Mr. Jagnarine Singh forecast.
In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday, he said the first crop harvest would be from 69,200 hectares and, so far, 61,960 hectares have been reaped.
Singh said the produce could have been more than what has been realised but the achievement is about 90 percent of what was targeted.
He said that production is way above target and, based on the percentage harvested, Guyana is on stream to reach 200,000 tons for the second consecutive year.
Singh pointed out that, when farmers wait too late to sow, they create a few issues in relation to production but he urged them to do better in areas where they are falling behind.
He said some planters sowed up to March, explaining that, because of the unseasonal weather over the years, they used to take things for granted and harvest and plant whenever they wish. But, this time around, instead of the May/June rains coming late in May, they came early in May and caught up with some of them.
Singh said those famers who fail to be warned by this experience will find themselves facing more difficulties in getting paddy out of the fields during the rainy season.
However, they are very resilient people and have alternative ways to fetch the grains, like transporting smaller loads and moving some through the waterways, he stated.
Singh added that, at the end of both crops, there will be some amount of losses although that cannot be computed presently.

He reported that exports, to date, have earned $48 billion. “We would have exported about six percent of what we forecast for this crop and this was half way down or only the fifth month in the year.”
Singh said, in spite of the rainfall, preparations have already started for sowing for the second crop for the year.
Those who would have sown the last crop on time have already harvested and started the second crop, he observed.
Singh advised those who have sown a little late and encountered a few issues to try and stop sowing by the middle or late July, as by August they should start harvesting.
He said 70,000 hectares are to be sown countrywide and, up to now, the figure is about 15,000 hectares.
On the Essequibo Coast, of 15, 000 hectares, 7,000 hectares have already been sown and in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), of 3,000 hectares, 400 hectares were sown, Singh disclosed.