A Region Two rice farmer is now counting millions in losses due to flooding of 50 acres of his rice cultivation by continuous rainfall.
Mohamed Khaleem Ally, 51, of Lima Housing Scheme, estimates the value of his loss at over $3.55 million.
According to Ally, he is also leasing the 50 acres of rice lands in the Mc Nab, Region Two area and would still have to pay the owner. He also said he recently took a loan and has to repay it.
During an interview, Ally said that due to the constant rainfall, his crop developed “sheath rot.”
The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) website says “sheath rot disease usually occurs on the flag leaf sheath (boot) that encloses the panicle. The disease is generally of minor importance and scattered within fields, but occasionally areas within fields may develop sheath rot at a level that affects yield.”
“The crop is ready to harvest but the rain and the bad dam has delayed the process,” explained Ally, who said that due to the delay the disease has set in “and now I just have to watch my rice fall.”
The farmer attempted to take a harvester on the land but the harvester could not enter due to the deplorable condition of the rice field. When asked if he had ever experienced such difficulties harvesting, the farmer said he never did. He said the rainfall has severely affected his crops, which has led to serious financial difficulties.
He has engaged the attention of field officers of the GRDB. He is calling on the government through GRDB to assist him so he can go back to the fields. This newspaper understands that other farmers suffered similar losses like Ally. Many other farmers in the Mc Nab area have also been flooded.
