A new, fast growing variety of cassava will soon be cultivated by farmers in Region Nine, says Chairman of the Regional Agricultural Committee Rodger King.
The new variety of cassava was gifted to the Rupununi region through Shirley Melville, Guyana’s Consul General in Boa Vista. It was sourced from Embrapa, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation.
King yesterday told Sunday Stabroek that the cultivation of the new variety will contribute positively to the region’s food security. Once planted, the cassava can be reaped within three months, he said, while observing that the current variety utilised takes approximately six to nine months to mature.
“It is perfect for growing here because it is grown next door [Brazil] and we share the same climate conditions so it will be able to grow here. It will also strengthen our region’s food security capacity,” King added.
The official said that at the starting of the cropping season during May/June, they were experiencing some shortages but farmers were able to recover from that. However, he was quick to point out that the region is not experiencing any shortage of planting materials at present and farmers are currently waiting to harvest from the current crop.
Nonetheless, Regional Chairman Brian Allicock told Sunday Stabroek that several farmers suffered losses during the dry season. He explained that cassava plants died following an infestation of caterpillars and harsh weather.
In light of that, he said, they had communicated with government and their Brazilian counterparts and requested assistance to help the farmers. The cassava sticks arrived in Lethem yesterday and will be distributed to farmers in a matter of days.
