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SOME 150 farmers involved in the cultivation of rice in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 met last Thursday at Cullen on the Essequibo Coast to observe an experimental plot cultivated under the six improved management practices for higher paddy yields. The farmers exchange programme, organised by the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Rice Producers Association (RPA) brought the farmers together to observe and examine the experimental plot in terms of pest, disease, weed control, fertilizer application and expected yield.
Farmers who toured the field closely examined the panicle of the plants for full grains so as to get an average of the yield of the experimental plot. They suggested that the plot will produce some 37 bags per acre.
At the discussion session after the field visit, Region 2 Chairman Parmanand Persaud welcomed all the farmers to the region and commended the GRDB and RPA for organising the farmers exchange visit and field day, for and setting up the experimental plot on the Essequibo Coast.
He called on the farmers to make use of the laws that government is implementing in terms of payments for their produce and to protect their interest in the industry.
Meanwhile, General Manager of GRDB, Jagnarine Singh, told the farmers that there has been much investment in the rice industry over the past years. He noted that farmers have purchased equipment and machinery and reminded them that the last time such purchases occurred was back in 1995.
Extension Manager of GRDB, Kuldip Ragnauth, said the field day is an investment in human capital to educate farmers in order to get better yields. The extension officer said the Rice Board has invested in the rice industry over the years, which has resulting in farmers getting some 50 bags per acre. He said five years ago farmers never heard about the six points practice; but because of the efforts of the GRDB and RPA, farmers today are educated and better equipped to plant rice. ( Rajendra Prabhulall)
Farmers who toured the field closely examined the panicle of the plants for full grains so as to get an average of the yield of the experimental plot. They suggested that the plot will produce some 37 bags per acre.
At the discussion session after the field visit, Region 2 Chairman Parmanand Persaud welcomed all the farmers to the region and commended the GRDB and RPA for organising the farmers exchange visit and field day, for and setting up the experimental plot on the Essequibo Coast.
He called on the farmers to make use of the laws that government is implementing in terms of payments for their produce and to protect their interest in the industry.
Meanwhile, General Manager of GRDB, Jagnarine Singh, told the farmers that there has been much investment in the rice industry over the past years. He noted that farmers have purchased equipment and machinery and reminded them that the last time such purchases occurred was back in 1995.
Extension Manager of GRDB, Kuldip Ragnauth, said the field day is an investment in human capital to educate farmers in order to get better yields. The extension officer said the Rice Board has invested in the rice industry over the years, which has resulting in farmers getting some 50 bags per acre. He said five years ago farmers never heard about the six points practice; but because of the efforts of the GRDB and RPA, farmers today are educated and better equipped to plant rice. ( Rajendra Prabhulall)
