Rice production remains unaffected by COVID-19

– 9100 bags reaped from 350 acres

The National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) has recorded its best production thus far from rice, after making a switch from sugar.
Supervisor of the Wales rice production facility, Charles Brown highlighted that they were able to secure a better price for the crops, through better arrangements and accommodation with several millers and planters.
NICIL, in a release, stated that its announcement of improved profitability per acre under better overall conditions comes at a time when there is a globalised fear that COVID-19 will devastate the global economy.
“We thought that with the COVID situation that the crop would have been affected severely, taking into consideration the many challenges and difficulties that we faced in previous crops because of several issues. However, for this crop, it was a reverse situation. While we did not achieve a 100 per cent yield, we were able to achieve a great production, thus resulting in the investment that we made paying off significantly,” Brown said.
According to the supervisor, NICIL spearheaded cultivation of some 400 acres of rice and has harvested over 350 acres so far. The rest was destroyed by a fungal disease.
“We were able to secure 28 bags per acre before the mill and I must say that after the mill, we secured 26 bags, which was good. Looking at the previous crops that we had planted, I must say that this was our best production,” the Supervisor explained.
The Government holding agency, which is on the forefront of the agricultural innovation at the former sugar-cultivation facility, said it has commenced planting the first crop for 2020 despite the numerous challenges. The nature of the rice industry – from cultivation to milling – does not necessitate close interaction by workers. As such, COVID-19 does not pose a threat to their production.
“You must understand that rice production is one crop which sees workers not generally being close to each other, as during the production the workers work far from each other, so even before COVID the workers are doing physical distancing and that is why COVID didn’t affect rice in any way. Further, even to those operating the machinery also operates apart from each other so there is no need for workers to be together. As we continue to battle COVID, it will help us to ensure that whatever we do, we keep the physical distancing etched in our minds,” the official explained.
Moving forward, they are expecting to reap the full 510 acres planted this year and plans to continue diversifying a number of other areas.