Guyana Launches New Variety of Rice

• Guyana has launched a new high-yielding rice variety known as ‘GRDB 18,’ as part of the efforts to modernise the agricultural sector through innovation and technology.
• “This variety is very tolerant to water lodging, which is crucial for maintaining high-quality harvest…Additionally, it has developed superior grain quality, ensuring that we can compete effectively in both the local and international markets,” said Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha.
• The chief scientist at the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Mahendra Persaud, said after 120 trials, there has been no decline in rice recovery. “We have seen from all those trials the average is around 7.2 tons per hectare, that is around 45 bags per acre. So, in terms of the yield potential, the candidate variety is good,” he added.
• The new variety can withstand late harvesting of 10 to 15 days and endure harsh conditions such as drought, offering hope for improved resilience in the rice sector.
• Mustapha said that within four years, the GRBD has managed to launch two rice varieties with GRDB 16 being introduced to the market in 2020.
• Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Madanlall Ramraj, said that varietal development is crucial for increasing rice production in the country, noting that the rice industry is valued at GYD$100Bn (US$478.79Mn), with over GYD$42Bn worth of seed paddy sold to mills last year. He said that exports from mills to other countries amounted to GYD$44Bn, plus billions of dollars more in local sales, drainage, irrigation, and machinery.
• This new variety should help drive further export earnings for Guyana and add to economic growth. For 2024, GRDB has set its entire target of rice production to approximately 710,000 metric tonnes. 

(Sources: Loop Caribbean News & Guyana Ministry of Agriculture)