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Rice continues to be one of the most primary agricultural products in Guyana and over the past few years the country has been able to benefit from good price arrangements for this commodity from Venezuela.While Venezuela has assured its commitment in 2012 towards continuing to purchase rice at good prices from Guyana,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy is urging that the traditional markets be protected.“There is a preference for the Venezuela rice market among our rice farmers but we have been working with the farmers that when you find a good market like the Venezuelan market we must also protect the traditional markets.Europe and the Caribbean represent a traditional market and the bulk of rice used to go to these. Some also used to go to the United States and these are our traditional markets which I want to encourage farmers, millers and exporters not to neglect. Those are safe markets and we need to also keep those markets.”The Minister explained that the first crop for this year had more than 150,000 acres that were under cultivation – one of the largest in the country’s history.In terms of production, there is an expectation of a “bumper crop” although the floods during the past five months did have an impact on rice production.“While farmers were preparing land and putting it under cultivation from October to December 2011 one of their problems was that they had just come through a dry season and had an issue of irrigation. We were able to ensure that enough water came in,China Jerseys, but then the farmers had to endure three heavy rainfall periods that led to flooding in the Agricultural belt and particularly the rice belt.”Heavy rainfall during the month of December, the end of January and in February affected the cultivation in Region Two, Region Three,Wholesale Jerseys, particularly in Canal Polder no.1 and Canal Polder no.2, Blankenburg, Regions Five and Six.Kaieteur News was told that despite the heavy rainfall and flooding the total losses will not impact on the overall production in the first crop.Dr. Ramsammy asserted that after a final assessment is made on the losses because of floods, it is likely to be about 8,000 acres lost, out of the 170,000 acres that were under cultivation. This would mean a loss of less than four per cent.According to the Minister, a minimal loss experienced in rice production for the country does not indicate that the loss was shared. The loss was quite significant among farmers.Meanwhile the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Rice Producers Association (RPA) and Ministry of Agriculture are working together to ensure that these farmers receive some type of support.The Ministry is optimistic that this year’s rice production will exceed the  record 401,Wholesale Jerseys,000 tonnes that were reaped in 2011.“There is a good chance that we will exceed the 401,Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys,000 tonnes; there is a good chance that our market, external market will be maintained, and therefore Guyana’s export of rice will remain high in 2012. Guyana will continue to work on yield and breeds and therefore we expect that the future of rice in Guyana is one that is brimful of potential and opportunity. We will continue to build on that,” Dr. Ramsammy added.Since last month,Cheap NFL Jerseys Supply, white rice has begun to be exported to Venezuela, cargo rice to Europe and both white and parboiled rice to CARICOM countries. (Kristen Macklingam)