HARVESTING of the present rice crop has commenced in Region Two, where farmers are making full use of the sunny weather.
While harvesting has not commenced in the southern parts of the Essequibo Coast, the exercise is moving apace in the northern and central sections.
In the Northern section, farmers have reported harvesting an average of 35 bags per acre.
Although the paddy has been affected somewhat by ‘red rice’, farmers are optimistic about a bumper crop. Some 31,500 acres are expected to be harvested without any difficulty in the region.
For this crop, there has been a general decline of prices for paddy in the region; millers are at the moment paying $2200 for the highest grade of paddy, which is: ‘A’ and ‘B’ $2,100; and ‘C’ $1,900.
Presently, the industry can hardly escape the vagaries of the free market economy in which allocation for rice and paddy is determined by demand and supply. Only those millers who have paid off the rice farmers are purchasing paddy. Those who are indebted are not buying. The implication for this crop can be quite serious indeed, if new markets cannot be found.
Farmers will have to pay greater attention to the cost of production and efficiency, considering the critical nature of the current situation.
MOHAMED KHAN