Research and extension services targeted for improvement
-part of rice competitiveness plan

Georgetown, GINA, November 07, 2007.

Government’s commitment to increase competitiveness of the local rice industry is being further displayed with current focus on improvement of research and extension services offered to the industry by the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).
            Discussions on this subject are being facilitated during a workshop to review the services involving crucial stakeholders from various areas within the rice industry such as the Guyana Rice Project Management Unit (GRMPU), Rice Producers Associations (RPA) and farmers.
The activities being held at the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara and is part of the Rice Competitiveness Project which is receiving support from the European Union (EU). Plant breeding, soil agronomy, plant pathology, weeds agronomy, entomology and seed production are among the key areas being reviewed. A report will be prepared based on the discussions at the workshop and is expected to be used as a basis to further improve research and extension services.
A review was done several years ago from which a strategy was developed to guide development of the various aspects of research and extension services in the rice industry. However, while there have been improvements in a few areas, some of the objectives of the strategy were not implemented within the given time frame.
Permanent Secretary of the Agriculture Ministry Dr. Dindyal Permaul pointed out that there are many challenges in the rice industry that also pose great opportunities that could be explored within the research and extension context.
Reference was made to the ‘gene-revolution’ that involves the transfer of genetics from one plant to another to develop and strengthen a particular area. This technology has been used to help special crops withstand the effects of weather and pests.
The need for introduction of advanced technology in the rice industry to improve efficiency and reduce cost was also underscored as well the need to encourage diversification.
Development of more valued-added activities using by-products of rice is another area that could be explored to promote competitiveness of the rice industry and which must start with research and extension services.
Dr. Permaul further pointed to the importance of training of research and extension personnel to support the evolution need in the rice sector. Reference was made to investments and support by Government to develop the level of personnel needed and to improve other aspects of research and extension services.
One of the areas currently receiving attention is seed production through which substantial efforts have been made to set up more seed paddy plants that will ensure better quality of seed. This will result in higher yield and is very important since minimal yield is one of the main challenges facing the local industry.
Head of the GRMPU Nigel Dharamlall urged stakeholders that their review must focus on the resources and personnel available within the GRDB to deliver better research and extension services.
The importance of research and extension services was highlighted by RPA’s General Secretary Dharamkumar Seeraj, who pointed out that stakeholders involved in the review must focus on that which exists in the sector and the weakness that could be strengthened.      
He noted that research and extension are vital to the further development of rice and food production in general, particularly at this time when some developed countries are using the staple, which has been primarily intended for food consumption, as feed stock for the development of bio-fuels.
Under the Competitiveness Project, approximately $250M is being spent to improve research and extension, targeting seed production and multiplication, certification and training of farmers on improved production techniques.
It includes training of more than 100 farmers from all rice growing regions to cultivate 1, 006 hectares of seed paddy per crop, producing 75, 000 bags of paddy which will satisfy 30 percent of the national need. Certification of all seeds produced is being done by trained persons from a special unit that was recently set up under the programme.

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