NEW varieties, technologies and innovative techniques are some of the methods implemented at the Burma Rice Research Station, which have aided in rice production surpassing the annual production target.

To ensure farmers have a firsthand look at procedures which rice varieties endure before being released, an Open Day of the GRDB Rice Research Station at Burma, Mahaicony, was held Wednesday.
The event, which is part of activities for Agriculture Month 2012, attracted scores of Regions 4 and 5 rice farmers, agricultural officials, and students from the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA).
Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, underscoring the importance of the rice industry, stated that investments over the years demonstrate that the government remains committed to continued successes and expansion of the industry.
Thus far, rice production has been on the increase, despite being faced with adverse weather conditions. In 2011, production surpassed the previous year’s projection, as a whooping 400,000 tonnes of rice was produced.
“This event and the hosting of another Agriculture Month of activities, give us an opportunity to publicly salute rice farmers for their achievements over the years, which have seen us producing enough for local and international obligations,” he said.
Even as much work has been embarked upon, research at the station is now being accelerated, as since 1995 it produced approximately 12 new varieties of rice, with the most productive in yields, according to farmers, being GRDB 9, 10, 11 and 12.
The implementation of enhanced yields, coupled with the adoption by farmers of the Six- Point Practice, production levels continue to be exceptional with farmers reaping 40-45 bags per acre.
However, Minister Ramsammy cautioned that the work of the researchers must never be undermined, as their expertise has seen varieties being produced which are now flood and drought tolerant.
“Our method of agriculture is a success story, so much so that Suriname has asked Guyana to collaborate with the aim of developing rice varieties and sharing expertise for enhanced production,” the minister said.
He reminded that agriculture in Guyana is more than just feeding its people, crediting the sector’s performance to relatively good price, enhanced techniques and market opportunities.
The Ministry, through a collaborative effort with rice farmers in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, lands which were abandoned are to be brought under cultivation.
“Once this is embarked upon, within a short period, 500,000 tonnes of rice can be easily produced…we are a rice producing country, which supplies other countries, and going this way will enable Guyana to reduce importation,” he said.
Millers, who take advantage of rice farmers, will be dealt with severely, and Minister Ramsammy cautioned those who are guilty of such trade to “get their acts together.”
He pointed to the fact that farmers were, over the years, treated unfairly by some millers who were withholding millions of dollars in payment for paddy sold to them.
“In fact, arrangements are presently being put in place for farmers to be paid within a matter of weeks by a certain rice miller who has been guilty of this trade,” he said.
The Mahaicony Rice Mill is one such entity which came in for flak, over the years, for non-payment. Then Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, intervened and a separate account was opened to hold all proceedings from rice transactions, an account that was jointly managed by the entity and government.
“The Ministry of Agriculture is working assiduously to put better services in place for rice farmers, as they are the ones who endure the work, which has, to date, seen the country being a large scale producer of rice,” he said.
Enhanced drainage and dam maintenance are critical, and Minister Ramsammy called on farmers to work collaboratively, to ensure equity in services provided by the Ministry’s National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).
Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Alli Baksh, in his address, spoke of the importance of rice research in Guyana, noting that special emphasis and scientific methods are being put in place for its continued development.
He added that agriculture plays an important role in food security, as Guyana has the potential be the breadbasket of the Caribbean.
Meanwhile, Regional Chairman, Bindranauth Bisnauth, speaking on the sector’s performance, stated that prior to 1995, farmers were producing less than 2000 bags of paddy per acre, compared to the 20,000 now being produced.
Government has been investing heavily in the sector over the years, with the aim of better developing infrastructure throughout the rice growing regions.
“We (Gov’t), will continue to do this, so that farmers can benefit…as a government we try to ensure that farmers’ livelihoods are protected,” the Regional Chairman said.
After the official ceremony, the officials toured the labs at the research station where the examination of new varieties were done and techniques tested.