Massive decline in paddy bug infestation recorded – Min Mustapha

Just seven months after serious attempts to rid paddy bugs affecting rice farmers on the Corentyne in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), there has been a significant reduction in the infestation through the various measures that had been undertaken by the Agriculture Ministry.
This was revealed by subject minister Zulfikar Mustapha during a recent interview with the Guyana Times.
“We had a very large reduction; I don’t think that the paddy bug will play any role in reducing this crop. We have a very, very minimal amount now in the field, and farmers are very happy.”
He then went on to attribute this success to the swift actions that were taken by the Ministry when the infestation was first recorded.
“You know, when we started the campaign, we provided free chemicals, and also we provided labour. The technical advice that our extension officers gave to the farmers helped tremendously. We were able to spray all the abandoned fields, the mares, and the dams.”
The minister added, “And I think because of that intervention that we made early, we were able to keep down the paddy bug. And lastly, I know the President would have said that in the latter parts of the year, the interfering would have started by January.”

Two of the areas that were badly affected by the infestation were Crabwood Creek (CWC) and Central Corentyne, with farmers stating that the quantity and quality of rice they produce would have been severely affected.
Due to these direct investments and policies, rice farmers are optimistic that they will surpass this year’s rice production target of 710,000 tonnes, compared to 653,000 tonnes last year.
Additionally, farmers have also improved access to drainage and irrigation, as several outfalls have been cleared in the region, which added to the significant relief.
To date, 68,000 acres of rice land are currently under cultivation in the region, and paddy bug infestation poses a grand threat to rice farms, as most crops are currently in the flowering stage at the time of the infestation outbreak.
In July it was announced by deputy Registrar of the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board, Suresh Amichand that farmers would receive aid in the form of four combination chemicals and 4 AI systems from an Indian-based Company, Rainbow Chemical.