2012 was an outstanding year for rice with production up to December 18 being around 420,000 tonnes making it the largest ever production in Guyana’s history according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Last year’s production was 402,000 tonnes and the target for 2012 was 412,000 tonnes. Guyana has exported more than 300,000 tonnes for 2012 with export earnings standing at US$176 million and possibly reaching very close to the US$200 million mark for the year- another first for the industry- the ministry said. “In 2012, it became more obvious that Guyana’s rice production is increasing because more land is being cultivated for rice, better farm techniques are being utilized and better and higher yielding varieties are being cultivated,” the ministry said.
It was noted that in 2012, yield per hectare was almost five tonnes while in 1970, the yield per hectare was 1.8 tonnes and in 1990, the yield per hectare was three tonnes. The ministry also noted that in 1970, production stood at 145,000 tonnes (59,000 tonnes exported), and in 1990, 93,000 tonnes (51,000 tonnes exported).
The ministry said that up to December 18, rice farmers harvested 142,038 hectares of paddy. “This means that farmers reaped paddy from more than 96% of the land sowed with paddy. Most of the loss was in the first crop when approximately 4000 hectares of rice were affected due to flooding. This remarkable resilience in the face of bad weather conditions, including floods exemplified the dedication and commitment of the farmers in enhancing and fostering the development of the industry. Given the amount of rain that fell and the floods that resulted in the first crop, this is indeed a remarkable achievement by Guyana’s rice farmers,” the ministry said.
It added that a significant achievement for 2012 was that Guyana’s first aromatic line of rice was successfully cultivated in a 60-acres plot with the cooperation of a farmer. This will now be tested across the country during the 2013 first crop and it is expected that between 20 and 25 farmers will undertake the first commercial production of aromatic rice, the ministry said.
“The production of an aromatic line now allows the rice industry of Guyana to compete in the niche market, locally and internationally. Aromatic brands such as India’s Basmattie Rice are premium products with high prices. This will help reduce Guyana’s import of brands such as Aromatic and will allow our farmers to compete internationally with other aromatic brands. The successful entry into the aromatic export niche market will enhance the reputation and increase the competitiveness of the rice industry in Guyana,” the ministry said.
Over the last three years Venezuela has been the major export market for Guyana’s paddy and rice, accounting for approximately 60% of total exports while Jamaica and Trinidad are the major importers for the CARICOM region. The Venezuela rice market opened up as part of the PetroCaribe oil deal with Caracas.
Meantime, the Ministry noted that a new seed facility will be completed at Number 56 Village in Berbice and it is hoped that it will be commissioned next month. “It is expected that this facility will generate more than 20,000 bags of seed paddy for our farmers by the 2nd crop of 2013. Presently, the Burma Seed Paddy Facility produces about 10,000 bags per crop and together with the RPA and private rice farmers, the industry produces about 180,000 bags of seed paddy annually for use in the industry,” the ministry said.
