Guyana developing flood resistant rice

Guyana is working with the International Rice Research Institute to develop a flood-tolerant variety of rice, to significantly reduce the impact the severe weather is having on farms in the country.



The Burma Rice Research Station’s chief scientist and plant breeder, Dr Mahendra Persaud, says planting of the new variety should begin shortly.



He says fields have been prepared and Guyana could well become a pioneer, if it’s successful in developing more resilient rice plants that can withstand the effects of flood for a period of up to two weeks.



This type of genetic improvement in rice has been successfully achieved in Asia, including India and Bangladesh, with the assistance of the research institute, and Persaud is confident it could be replicated in Guyana.