THE continuing rains have affected a small number of advanced rice plots in Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) that are ready for harvesting, according to Head of the Guyana Rice Producers’ Association (RPA), Dharamkumar Seeraj.“I visited the area yesterday (Wednesday) and the rain is pouring heavily. We expect that the advanced rice plots ready to be harvested will be affected,” Seeraj said, adding:

“We do irrigated rice, so we sow in rainy season, and harvest in dry season. With proper irrigation and dry season conditions close to harvesting, rice performs better, better production and productivity.”
Asked about the impact of the rains in other rice producing regions, Seeraj told the Guyana Chronicle that the rainfall is welcomed by rice farmers in Region 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne) and in the eastern part of Region 5 (Mahaica/ Berbice).
He added that in other areas, measures have been put in place, in particular with increased drainage capacity, to ensure that rice farmers are able to deal with out of season rainfall.
“Flooded conditions are what put a toll on rice. Given the changes in climate the need to adapt has been made clear. In the rice sector adaptation means increased drainage capacity to deal with unseasonal rainfall,” Seeraj said.

CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE
The RPA Head added that the rainy season was not what was expected during the traditional rainy season, December to January; however, he reiterated the sector’s focus on climate smart agriculture.
Altogether, some 238,698 acres are currently under cultivation across Guyana: 37,710 in Region 2; 22,047 acres in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara); 8,757 in Region 4 (Demerara/ Mahaica); 107,224 acres in Region 5; some 62,159 acres in Region 6; and 800 acres in Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).
Questioned about overall harvesting of the first rice crop for 2015, Seeraj noted that with the exception of the advanced rice plots in Region 2, harvesting is expected to be in full swing come March.
“Regions 3 and 4 will start in March, while Regions 5 and 6 will start last March and go into early April. Harvesting is not in full swing as yet,” he said.
On the issue of prices, Seeraj expressed the hope that prices per bag of paddy remain at the 2014 last crop average, which was $3,000.
“Farmers are accustomed to $3,500 and $3,700. Last season the average was $3,000, farmers got paid between $2,700 and $3,300. This crop we hope that the average remains around the same level,” he said.
All considered, Seeraj was optimistic that the rice industry will meet its targets for 2015.
The target for rice production is 618,000 tonnes. Last year was another record-breaking year for the rice industry. Production was recorded at 635,238 tonnes, of which 501,208 tonnes were exported. Production in the final crop of 2014 surpassed that of the first crop, which recorded just over 300,000 tonnes.
Additionally, the export target for 2015 has been set at 521,000 tonnes. Guyana currently has export agreements with several countries in the Caribbean as well as with Venezuela and Panama.
He said arrangements to ship rice to countries in West Africa are still being finalised, after being delayed by the Ebola epidemic. Also, given the continuous success of the rice industry, efforts are being made to secure a greater foothold in Nicaragua and other Central American countries, including Belize.
The rice and sugar sectors remain important to Guyana’s economy, considering their significant role in the employment of a local workforce and contributions to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). (Vanessa Narine)