Extreme rainfall has not affected rice growing regions-GRDB

Georgetown : Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Jagnarine Singh today assured that no damage has been done to the rice crop over the past four days while the country is faced with above normal rainfall..

However, he has cautioned that dam maintenance is necessary and encouraged rice farmers to secure their crop, as regional officers and technical staff from the GRDB continue to assess the situation.

Close attention is being paid to Regions Five and Six, as these areas are known as the largest rice growing regions.

 “We at the GRDB are working assiduously to ensure that farmers do now suffer losses as a result of the extreme weather pattern currently being experienced, as we work collaboratively with the respective agencies,” Mr. Singh said. 

Meanwhile, General Secretary of the Rice Producers Association (RPA), Dharamkumar Seeraj stated that while 300 acres of rice, (inclusive of young and mature rice) are currently affected in the Hope/Belfield area, systems are in place to ensure there are no losses.   The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), is currently working at the Hope sluice by clearing the outfall channel and, additional pumps are being installed at vulnerable areas to ensure that the water recedes. 
 “We are working around the clock to ensure that rice and cash crop farmers do not suffer losses, as a result of the extreme rainfall which is being experienced,” the General Secretary said.