| NEW AMSTERDAM, BERBICE — Rice production in Region Six is severely threatened. This is according to the President of the Guyana Rice Producers’ Association, Leeka Rambrich.Some 60 percent of the total spring rice crop (first crop) of 2009 is at stake. Up till now, the actual loss is unknown, since it is too early to make the assessment, because the water has not yet started to recede, he said.The heavy rainfall resulted in excessive flooding in Region Six – East Berbice /Corentyne — as in other parts of the country. This has put the drainage system to the test, and it has proven that it cannot handle such a situation.All of the cultivated areas — the front lands from Crabwood Creek all the way to the East Bank of Berbice,Fernando Rodney Jersey, including East and West Canje and Black Bush Polder – have been flooded.The national target for Region Six, in terms of rice cultivation, was set at 48,000 acres. Of this, only 36,Andre Branch Dolphins Jersey,616 acres were planted.The crop commenced late in November, when the Regional Administration began the irrigation process for farmers. Mr. Rambrich lamented that 60 percent of the 36,616 acres are not only under water, but are also highly infested with ‘duck-weed’.‘Duck-weed’ is a wild plant that grows at a rapid rate in deep water. It is known for the broad leaf it produces, which covers the surface and, in so doing, prevents the sunlight from reaching what is below it; in this case the rice crop.This has resulted is many rice plants dying. Could this have been avoided? “Yes! This could have been avoided, if the Regional Administration had listened to the advice of the officials of the Rice Producers’ Association and the Guyana Rice Development Board, who made the call for the region to start irrigating during the first week in November,” said Mr. Rambrich. He opined that if that process had commenced at that time, when the rains came, the farmers would have had a crop 30 to 40 days old.“At 30 to 40 days old, the rice would have already been established. It would have already taken over the entire field, so it would not have given room for the weed to grow, and the amount of water could not have affected the crop that significantly.”The President of the Rice Producers’ Association said that the burning issue the association is faced with now is the question being asked by rice farmers: “Who will compensate us?”That is yet to be answered. When the water recedes and the damage is assessed, only then will officials of the Rice Producers’ Association be in a position to broach with the Government the subject of assistance for these farmers who suffered losses.The front lands (from Crabwood Creek to the East Bank of Berbice, including East and West Canje) were the areas hardest hit by the flooding. In total, 16,400 acres were affected out of the 22,000 cultivated. In Black Bush Polder 5,200 are affected out of the 14,000 planted.In Black Bush Polder, there are 17,000 acres of land available for the cultivation of rice; but of this, only 14,Cheap Jerseys Free,000 acres were planted for this present crop. Had there been smooth sailing, Region Six was expected to produce a record-breaking crop this time around.“Unfortunately, the rains came, and this affected our target. We are hoping that, if all goes well, we can meet our target for the next crop,” Mr. Rambrich pointed out.Many of the rice farmers are indebted to financial institutions; and should the rains continue, they cannot honour their obligations to the banks. “We would assist them by negotiating an extension on the deadline for their installments, and this would bring about some amount of relief to these affected farmers.”In the front lands, more farmers had returned to the land for this particular crop. According to Mr. Rambrich, some 4,000 acres of newly cultivated lands were opened, especially in the follow-up areas (old schemes) and between Number Fifty-One Village and Whim,Cheap Jerseys From China, along with some in East and West Canje.Across the Berbice River, in Region Five, the situation is ticklish. “The water level in the rivers keeps rising because of the high tides, and this is putting a further strain on the drainage system.“So the riverain areas, they are highly flooded, especially in the Mahaicony and Abary areas.”In Region Five, this crop began mid-November, but the region’s problem is not the rainfall,Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping, but the conservancy. Region Five has 110,000 acres of land available for rice cultivation, but it is too soon to say how many acres were cultivated.In both Regions Five and Six, this spring rice crop should have been harvested in March/April. “All we can hope for is that the water recedes quickly, so that farmers can be able to save whatever little they can, to try to at least get something out of it. We are already going through heavy losses.”The President of the Guyana Rice Producers’ Association is appealing to farmers not to lose faith, and to live with the conviction that tomorrow is going to be a better day. “Let us hope that, the next crop, we can start early and hope that by the time the rains come we would have rice that can withstand the weather conditions.”In 2007, the yield in Region Six was 27 bags per acre. For the first crop in 2008, it was 30 bags per acre. That increase was attributed to a number of factors, including new technology, such as the six-point practice now being used. The six-point practice is where six different ways used to encourage higher yields are put into practice simultaneously. But it all depends on the timing in applying fertilizer,NBA Authentic Jerseys, chemicals and water. The use of potash also assists greatly as well.Another factor is that farmers are now advised to dry their fields before applying fertilizer. In this way, the plants absorb 80 percent of the nourishment, as against when the field is wet and only 20 to 30 percent is absorbed and the remainder evaporates.‘The farmers’ field school’ is also another plus for the industry. This has been held throughout the rice cultivating areas for the past six seasons by the Guyana Rice Development Board, in collaboration with the Rice Producers’ Association.The farmers assemble in groups and share their experiences. Mr. Rambrich explained that, in so doing, each farmer has the opportunity to learn from his colleagues. With all these factors combined, the yield per acre in East Berbice /Corentyne went up.At one time, the region was producing only 22 bags per acre. Generally, East Berbice/Corentyne has a total of 60,000 acres of rice land for cultivation; but due to poor drainage and irrigation, just 42,000 acres have been used up to 2008.As a result of the lucrative prices, the demand in the ‘Grow More Food’ campaign by Government, and the improvement of the drainage and irrigation system, 48,000 acres were targeted for cultivation this crop.For this year (2009), all areas in which rice is cultivated are now considered the front lands, with the exception of Black Bush Polder. Generally, more acres could have been cultivated, but due to the prevailing weather conditions, the process was staggered.For the past couple of years, Region Six has been one of the leading producers of rice in Guyana. |
