Officials of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) have been working round-the-clock to tackle the recent events of paddy bug infestation in Region Two, compared to what was released in the media of the GRDB’s non-involvement.
Field visits were conducted by extension officers of the GRDB, apart from a daily monitoring of the paddy bug to ensure that the situation remains under control.
Agriculture Minister Noel Holder spoke of some of work embarked upon by the GRDB to ensure that the situation is rectified. “We have been working assiduously to ensure that the issue of paddy bug doesn’t get out of control and for the media to say we have not been working with farmers is absurd. In fact, intense visits by the extension staff and meeting with farmers to advise them on the correct methodologies in controlling the bug were also done,” the Minister said.
An advisory was also placed on local television stations on the current situation from July 29 to August 4, while outreach meetings were held in the different districts so as to better sensitise farmers of the situation and the best practice for control.
Areas where these sessions were held are as follow:-
| No. | Village | Date of Activity |
| 1 | Spring Garden | 04/08/2016 |
| 2 | Vilvoorden | 09/08/2016 |
| 3 | Johanna Cecilia | 26/07/2016 |
| 4 | Golden Fleece | 04/08/2016 |
| 5 | Perseverance | 05/08/2016 |
| 6 | Queenstown | 02/08/2016 |
| 7 | Affiance | 27/07/2016 |
| 8 | Three Friends | 27/07/2016 |
| 9 | Reliance | 09/08/2016 |
| 10 | Lima | 28/07/2016 |
| 11 | Sparta | 03/08/2016 |
| 12 | Hampton Court | 29/07/2016 |
“During the meetings, the importance regular monitoring of fields especially when the crop is in the flowering, grain filling and ripening stage was discussed,” the Minister said.
Recommended chemicals to control rid paddy bug infestation such as Pronto, Fastac/Bestac, Flip and Ninja were also discussed.
Here are a few tips to control paddy bug infestation;-
- For extended crop protection during grain development, use systemic insecticides such as Pronto, Relevo, Actara, etc (formulations containing Imidacloprid or Thiamethoxam).
- Mix the insecticide as follows: Fill the motor blower halfway with water. If insecticide is a powder or granule, then dissolve the recommended rate in a bucket before adding it to the half-filled blower. If the insecticide is a liquid, then add the recommended rate directly into the half-filled blower. Shake the half-filled blower containing water and insecticide. Add water to the blower up to the 13-litre mark, and then shake again.
- The mixture is now ready to be sprayed. Determine the swath (spray) width based on the wind direction (spray downwind) and speed. Ensure overlap of the spray mixture for best results (If the spray mixtures do not overlap, the bugs will thrive in the unsprayed areas. They will continue to feed and multiply).
- Insecticide application should be carried out early in the morning (before 8:00 am) or late in the afternoon (after 3:30 pm); especially during flowering and ensure overlap of the spray mixture for best results.
Additionally, farmers must be attired with the proper protective gear when applying the insecticides.
For further technical assistance, contact the GRDB Extension Officers at the following offices:
| Anna Regina Sub-Office: (592) 771-4158Crane Sub-Office: (592) 254-0355
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Burma Rice Research Station: 592) 232-1395/1020#56 Sub-Office: (592) 682-2294
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