The El Niño dry weather has resulted in a drastic decline in rice cultivation this year, especially in Leguan and the Essequibo Coast and in the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary creeks.
President of the Rice Producers Association (RPA) Leekha Rambrich told Stabroek News in an interview that the dry condition has also resulted in poor yields for other farmers around the country. And as if that was not enough, the rains came earlier than expected, plunging them into further woes.
The farmers were about to enjoy the dry weather to harvest their crop but the rain did more damage. They were forced to cut early.
It also caused the dams to be deplorable, making it difficult for farmers to traverse with their paddy. The conditions in the fields were also bad. However, the weather did well for the farmers who were unable to cultivate the last crop due to the unavailability of water.
