By Saskia Warrick
The recent burning of rice fields by farmers has sparked concerns from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), prompting calls for dialogue and cooperation from Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha.
Last week, the EPA issued an order instructing rice farmers to cease burning their fields due to the heavy smoke-like conditions it was causing.
Instead, the agency urged farmers to transition to alternative methods for field management, such as manual removal or ploughing.
Minister Mustapha emphasized the importance of reaching an agreement between the EPA and rice farmers to address this issue collaboratively.
He stressed the need for both parties to find common ground and move forward in a mutually beneficial manner.
In response to concerns about the smoke-like conditions, Minister Mustapha consulted with the Hydromet office to understand the underlying reasons behind the phenomenon.
He emphasized the importance of managing field burning in a controlled manner to mitigate its impact on the environment and public health.
Additionally, Minister Mustapha addressed the EPA’s suggestion for farmers to use bailers to manage rice straw.
He mentioned that the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) has been providing bailers to farmers to assist them in this regard.
The call for collaboration between the EPA and rice farmers underscores the importance of finding sustainable solutions to agricultural practices while safeguarding environmental and public health interests.