GUYANA’s rice industry peaked during 1957-1964 under the PPP government which had implemented sound agricultural policies and programmes.

During this period, rice production increased by 74% and this was due mainly to several visionary measures and investments by the government, including duty-free fuel and machinery for farmers, putting farmers in control of the then Rice Marketing Board; heavy investment in drainage and irrigation; the establishment  of the Tapakuma and MMA/ADA schemes and opening of  Black Bush Polder. Incidentally, the latter was swamp-riddled with rattle snakes, but was transformed into perhaps the largest agricultural scheme in the English-speaking Caribbean through the vision of our late President Dr Cheddi Jagan, who was then premier in colonial Guyana.
Rice flourished so much that the then opposition dubbed the government a “rice” and “coolie” one.
Unfortunately, when the PPP was unceremoniously removed from office in 1964, the rice industry began to decline at an alarming rate under the new government  and by the time its 28-year reign in power was up, the industry was tottering on the verge of collapse.
With the return of the PPP/C government in 1992, the industry slowly regained its footing. However, it was once again ravaged this time by “The Great Flood” in 2005-our worst natural disaster.
Sine then, the industry has redounded remarkably well, through once again sound agricultural policies and programmes and timely and pertinent interventions by the government. And so today, the production by the rice industry has reached record-breaking levels, whereby it was anticipated that rice production would have reached 500,000 tonnes.
However, this anticipation may not become a reality as the current prolonged rainy weather is of major concern to the local rice industry as harvest time approaches. Harvesting of rice in Region 2 and in some fields in Region 3 is scheduled to begin by the end of this month.
With this looming threat, it would be hoped that the relevant authorities are working round the clock to ensure that our drainage infrastructure and systems are functioning at optimum levels and where it is not so, work will proceed expeditiously to rectify the problems what- ever they are. In this way, the adverse impact of the weather would be minimised should the current weather pattern continue.
On this note, it was encouraging to see General Secretary of the Guyana Rice Producers Association (GRPA), Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj, in Region 2, the largest rice cultivating area in the country, holding discussions with the regional chairman and the Water Users Associations on the way forward.
At the same time, there is also the paddy bug threat which must be dealt with in a timely manner as it could have devastating effects on rice production.
However, general manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Mr. Jagnarine Singh, has indicated that while the paddy bug infestation is countrywide, the situation is being monitored and is under control.
The Guyana Rice Development Board, under the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture, has initiated a $25M programme to address the paddy bug issue. Farmers across the country are being provided with pesticides and technical support to combat this nuisance.
This , of course, is welcome and it shows that those who are with the administration and management of the rice industry are adopting a proactive approach instead of a reactive one.