Some farmers across the country have reported poor germination of the GRDB 10 rice variety and Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha has signalled that they will be compensated.
During a press conference on Friday afternoon, Mustapha told reporters that he had received complaints from a number of farmers about the situation.
In an effort to address the matter, he said that he has since given instructions to ensure that the affected farmers are compensated.
According to Mustapha, GRDB10 is a high yielding variety hence why most farmers are trying to access it.
However, he encouraged farmers to consider using the GRDB16 variety, which was launched a few weeks back.
The GRDB16 variety has the potential to be the highest yielding variety in the country, Mustapha said.
Meanwhile, in a press release issued on Friday afternoon, the ministry said Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) officers are working to provide farmers with the technical advice needed in an effort to improve germination.
The statement noted that all farmers who purchased seeds from GRDB which showed poor germination will have their seed stock replaced after verification.
The ministry said that GRDB produces approximately 25,000 bags of seed paddy annually at the Rice Research Station at Burma, Mahaicony and 5,000 bags using contracted growers.
GRDB produces twelve varieties of seeds.
The statement explained that since GRDB10 was released in 2009, slow germination has been an issue. As a result, it said the board has been working towards developing new rice varieties with better germination.
The Ministry of Agriculture advised that GRDB10 has always required conditions favouring germination, such as optimum moisture, heat and oxygen.
“Even when optimum conditions are met the variety GRDB 10 sometimes show slow/poor germination. It is important to note that timely harvesting of seeds, proper drying and storage affect germination of seeds in general,” the statement said.
It is advisable, according to the ministry, to soak the GRDB10 seeds for 18 to 24 hours and press in small pieces to allow good air circulation for 36 to 54 hours.
