Rice production could be low, as strange pests attack Corentyne farms

Rice farmers on the Corentyne are noticing strange growth patterns and pests in their rice fields, with some rice plants being attacked by worms and flies.
Some farmers are consequently calling for urgent intervention of personnel from the Ministry of Agriculture, as the dual-attack will have adverse impacts on the yield, which could be reduced by five to ten bags of paddy per acre of rice cultivated.

Farmers report that the tips of the leaves of paddy plants are becoming brightly reddish in colour, and worms have been attacking the roots of paddy plants. This ‘red leaf’ phenomenon was observed on the leaves of some of the paddy plants last week.
Some farmers have also reported experiencing stunted paddy growth over the past month. One of the affected farmers is former Rice Producers Association (RPA) Extension Officer Ramlakhan Singh, whose cultivation is at Number 56 Village.
He explained that the labourers have made the startling discovery, and the RPA, investigating, discovered strange worms at the roots of the plants.
Agronomist Brajay Singh has been contacted to battle this phenomenon. He has visited fields at Numbers 63 and 68 villages where there has been a heavy infestation of the flies.
Samples taken to the University of Guyana lab have detected the flies to be Planthoppers. The name Planthopper comes from their remarkable resemblance to the leaves and plants of their environment, and from the fact that they transport themselves by “hopping” in a way similar to grasshoppers. However, planthoppers generally walk very slowly to avoid being detected.
The discovery has also been reported to the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).
The former RPA Extension Officer, who has been planting rice for over 50 years, explained that a similar attack had been experienced two crops ago at Numbers 41 and 43 villages and at Maida, where losses were heavy.