– GRDB says Regions 4,5,6 & 9 exceed national average

DESPITE a few setbacks within the rice industry the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has recorded an impressive second-crop harvest, the Ministry of Agriculture has said.

Figures have shown Regions Four, Five, Six and Nine thus far exceeding the national average of 35 bags per acre and reaching 38 bags per acre. General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Mr. Nizam Hassan in an invited comment, lauded the efforts of farmers who prevailed despite the many challenges, ensuring that the rice industry continues its upward trend.

He added that while harvesting has not yet been completed, four regions have already exceeded the projected national average with Regions Two and Three slightly behind.
According to the ministry, thus far, Region Two at the end of October had harvested 97.5 percent of total harvest with 34 bags per acre. Region Three stands at 97.4 percent with 32 bags per acre.

“Region Four has already completed harvesting and has a recorded 43.4 bags per acre which is commendable, while Regions, Five, Six and Nine have not yet completed harvesting, but at the end of October recorded 37.3, 42.0 and 46.0 bags per acre,” the general manager noted.

Of the rice-growing regions in Guyana, Regions Nine, Four and Six are leading in terms of the amount of bags per acre farmers received. This the general manager credits to not only the sterling contributions of the farmers, but also to the work of the extension arm of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB); the contribution of the newly introduced GRDB 15 and the adoption of the Six-Point practice system.The Six-Point Management Practice System has been introduced across Guyana. It deals with the time of sowing, planting density, seed treatment, a balanced fertilisation, weed control and effective water management.