THE local rice industry has once again produced a record-breaking crop with a production of 254,000 tonnes of rice, which represents the largest single crop ever produced in Guyana’s history, with 96 percent of the harvesting completed.

This was disclosed by Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday.
He said that Region 4 (Demerara/Mahaica) has completed its harvesting exercise, while Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) is 99.7 percent completed. In addition, Region 3 (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands) is 98.6 percent completed, followed by Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne) with 98.2 percent and Region 5 with 92 percent.
The minister related that since Region 5 has the most remaining to be harvested, as compared to the other regions, production in that region may be impacted by rainy weather.
Nevertheless, he pointed out that so far, Region 5 has the highest production, with 94,752 tonnes of rice, even as 8 percent of its crop is still to be harvested.
He noted that Region 6 has thus far produced 66,454 tonnes, while Region 2 produced 50,813 tonnes, after the deduction of damaged paddy which was infected by paddy bugs. He noted that production in this region would have been greater had it not been affected by the pests.
He also related that Region 3 has thus far produced 29,102 tonnes and Region 4 produced 3,231 tonnes.
Ramsammy noted that preparation for the second crop of 2013 is well underway and projected that some 82,000 hectares of land will be sown for this crop.
He related that Region 2 has already 40.6 percent of its land prepared and sown 40.1 percent, Region 3 has prepared and sown 19.1 percent and Region 4 has prepared 72 percent and sown 22 percent.
Additionally, Region 5 has prepared 24 percent so far and sown 11 percent, while Region 6 has prepared 56 percent and sown 28 percent.
The minister further disclosed that in this second crop, Region 9 (Upper Takatu/Upper Essequibo) will also be cultivating some rice and has already prepared 37 percent of the land to come under cultivation and sown 22 percent.
He stated that production target for the second crop is 206,000 tonnes, but added that much more than that is expected to be produced.
He also pointed out that there should be no issue achieving the annual production target of 412,000 tonnes, which is expected to be easily surpassed.
Meanwhile, the minister related that the first shipment of rice to Venezuela was shipped last week, with approximately 5,000 tonnes being sent in the first instance. He said that the first shipment of paddy is expected to be sent off next week.
He also noted that approximately 25 shipments of rice from Guyana to Venezuela is expected to be made between now and August for this crop.
He said, however, that rice was already being exported for this year to Jamaica, Trinidad and Europe, which started in March.
RAINY WEATHER
Meanwhile, General Secretary of the Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA), Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj, said that the remainder of the crop left to be harvested is being impacted by the rainy weather.
He explained that harvesting becomes very difficult during the rainy season, because when it rains the harvesters cannot operate and when they do operate in the wet season, the fields can be damaged.
Seeraj stated that while it is too early to assess the losses due to the rainfall, there will be deterioration of the quality of rice which has not been reaped as yet and the yield will be lower than usual.
General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Mr. Jagnarine Singh, noted that the remaining crop to be harvested, particularly in Region 5, is due to the crop being planted late and the rice has not yet reached full maturity.
He said that while there will be damage due to rainfall, this will be minimal, since most of the crop has already been harvested.
However, he noted that the rainfall is beneficial to farmers who are preparing for the second crop, since they do not have to pump water into their fields.