THE Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), in collaboration with the Guyana Rice Producers’ Association (RPA), last Wednesday, hosted their most recent ‘Farmers Field Day’ exercise.The purpose was to allow farmers to assess and evaluate the impact of new technologies being introduced into the sector.
Some 50 farmers gathered at West Coast Demerara where they used Ganga Persaud’s farm at Hague Backdams. Those present were from all Guyana’s rice producing regions: Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/Berbice) and Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne).
Also there on Wednesday was Regional Chairman Julius Faeber, who assured them of support, particularly in the areas of infrastructural advances and increasing access to rice markets.
“We have been working with you and will continue to work with you,” he pledged.
GRDB’s Extension Manager Kuldip Ragnauth told the Guyana Chronicle that the field days have been successful in the move to facilitate an exchange of experiences for advancing the implementation of the much lauded six-point programme.
The six improved crop management practices include date of planting, density, treatment of seeds, weed control, fertilisation and water management. These techniques fall under the Agriculture Ministry’s programme of having farmers adopt proper farm husbandry.