Guyana drought threatens agriculture

And in Guyana a severe drought continues to threaten that nation’s agricultural sector, particularly the growing of rice. The C.B.U.’s Barry Collymore has more.

Rice farmers in Guyana could lose as much as twelve million United States dollars if the current dry spell affecting the country continues for much longer. This assessment was given today by Chairman of the Guyana Rice Board, Charles Kernard who says that although irrigation mechanisms are being put in place, there will still be a shortfall of around thirty thousand tons. The Guyana Rice Board was initially predicting an increase in production by about nine thousand tons but sources there say that the current dry weather will now mean losses. Agriculture officials in Guyana say that the dry spell has been affecting the country since July of last year but its effects are only now being seen on agriculture. In addition to declines in rice production, experts say that the sugar crop may still be stunted because of low rainfall and they fear that cattle production may also be diminished. The weather affecting Guyana is being blamed on the weather phenomenon called El Niño but sources in government say, that an El Niño expert is in Guyana assisting the Rice Board and other agriculture organizations. Predictions are that El Niño could break up by April making it possible for rice farmers to sow a crop by May.