-cultivation more pronounced in Regions 2, 3 and 4
CULTIVATION of rice for the second crop has started in all the rice producing regions and General Secretary of the Guyana Rice Producers’ Association (RPA), Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj, says that the improved agronomical practices that brought results for the spring crop will also augur well for the current crop.
“Cultivation is more pronounced in Regions 2 (Pomeroon/ Supenaam), 3 (Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara) and 4 (Demerara/ Mahaica),” he said, “In Region 4, we already have rice that is between six and seven weeks old.” According to him, the successes of the last crop will be built on during the current rice crop.
“The yield for the spring crop was very good considering the challenges we had, but through the Farmers’ Field School and other extension activities the farmers engaged in improved farming activities and the improved agronomical practices brought us results,” he said.

Better Crop
Seeraj stated that a better crop will depend on farmers and extension officers as well and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), working together to improve the practices used for rice cultivation.
According to him, the improved practices include: the use of treated seeds, new methods of fertilizer application, the use of different types of fertilizers, better water management, working with the regions and the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and most importantly giving attention to the rice crop.
“Farmers have to pay attention to their crops. If we have all things in place, mainly the improved drainage and irrigation, the use of treated seeds and good water management, we will have a good crop,” Seeraj said.
The RPA General Secretary added that the market situation is improving and will influence the cultivation activities.
“The Venezuelan market is a single factor that has improved the market access for rice farmers,” he said.
The rice trade agreement between Guyana and neighbouring Venezuela continues with a third consecutive agreement, this one to the tune of some US$48M and Guyana is expected to export 30,000 tonnes of white rice and 50,000 tonnes of paddy to the neighbouring country at US$800 and US$480 per metric tonnes, respectively.
Seeraj said the current conditions are suited to cultivation.
“The weather, while not good for Region 9 (Upper Essequibo/ Upper Takutu), is good for cultivation,” he said.
The RPA General Secretary stated that the last two crops were challenged by extreme weather conditions, the most being La Nina, which threatened harvesting and caused the loss of some crops.
However, he noted that the stakeholders are prepared for the weather and unlike this time last year, an El Nino period is not forecasted.
“We are prepared and confident that this crop will do well,” he said   
This last crop, the spring crop, targeted 4.4 million bags of paddy, but the production was 202,077 metric tonnes or 4,894,270 bags paddy. Last year the rice sector made a record production of 360,996 tonnes and this year is projected to increase its production even further to 379,628 tonnes, a 4.9 percent increase in value added.