Region Five farmers are experiencing significant advancements in rice cultivation, thanks to a range of government initiatives. These efforts include a comprehensive seed programme aimed at improving crop yields and enhancing farmer livelihoods.
Marsha Hohenkirk, Quality Control Manager at the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), shared these insights at the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary-Agricultural Development Authority’s (MMA-ADA) open day event in Onverwagt, Region Five. She emphasized the collaboration between GRDB and MMA-ADA in boosting rice production and supporting farmers.
Hohenkirk said, “Recently, GRDB, in a joint initiative with the MMA established a seed programme, where seed growers in the region will receive support from the GRDB and MMA to produce seed which would subsequently be processed by the MMA seed cleaning facility.”
This initiative complements ongoing research and seed production at the GRDB’s Rice Research Station, located in the region. To combat challenges like El Niño, GRDB and MMA-ADA are jointly managing water resources to ensure availability for all farmers. Additionally, the GRDB conducts salinity testing in riverine areas, sharing results with farmers and MMA.
Hohenkirk also mentioned ongoing extension and quality control services for farmers, including training in best practices and red rice control. “These include farmers for your school, where training on best practices in rice cultivation and demonstration on red rice control… among others are being done,” she explained. Furthermore, training programmes are creating licensed graders who find employment in regional mills.
Reflecting on recent achievements, Hohenkirk highlighted that approximately 95,000 acres were prepared for the first crop of 2024, marking a 5,000-acre increase from the second crop of 2023. The government is actively working on developing 20,000 new acres for cultivation, providing substantial relief and opportunities for farmers.
She also applauded the support of Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha for his dedication to expanding and sustaining the sector. The GRDB’s central laboratory was also recently recertified to national standards by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), underscoring the ongoing commitment to quality and excellence in the region’s agricultural practices.
