– paddy bug losses at 11%, ministry clarifies

Farmers at a meeting on the paddy bugs.

The Ministry of Agriculture yesterday confirmed that aerial spraying will commence this week to combat the ongoing paddy bug situation in Region Six. So far, it said, there has been 11% damage reported at rice mills as opposed to the 20% being claimed by farmers. 

Stabroek News reported yesterday that rice farmers on the Corentyne were reeling from the paddy bug infestation which has caused an average of 20% losses throughout the region leaving many farmers unsure of how they will return to the fields next crop. Farmers had said that this was one of the largest infestations seen since the 90s.

However, an updated report provided by Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha yesterday said that “current average damage at the mills showed 11%. This has decreased from 17% in the earlier stage of the crop. Reports from the mill showed that farmers are having damage as low as 0.1%.”

Published Date: March 25, 2024