Rice cultivation is experiencing a remarkable upswing, with the second crop projected to surpass the target set by the Rice Board.
The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) predicts that this second crop will be the largest since 2021.
Approximately 200,000 acres of rice have already been sown, with some farmers still in the process of planting and others preparing their land for cultivation across various regions.
The favorable increase in rice production is attributed to the dry weather conditions and the unwavering support from the government.
GRDB Deputy General Manager, Kuldip Ragnauth, emphasized the significance of this rise in production, indicating that farmers who were severely affected by flooding in 2021 have now successfully resumed full-scale production.
Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, highlighted the importance of the rice sector as the largest export earner in the country. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making significant investments to further accelerate rice production.
From 2020 to the present, the rice sector has contributed approximately USD$743M to the local economy.
The trajectory of growth is projected to be even more substantial, with rice production expected to increase by 79 percent, equivalent to a million metric tonnes, by the year 2025.
The remarkable surge in rice production indicates a positive outlook for the agricultural sector and the economy of Guyana as a whole.