Rice production for the current crop surpassed projection-Minister

RiceGeorgetown: The target for the current rice crop has already been surpassed, with 25 percent of cultivated lands remaining to be harvested.

Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy says, about 75 percent of the rice cultivated in the first crop have been reaped, yielding 5.2 million bags of paddy or 327 thousand tonnes.

This he says is equivalent to 212 thousand tonnes of rice.

The target for this crop was 206 thousand tonnes.

Minister Ramsammy noted that in excess of 81 thousand hectares of land were cultivated with rice in the first crop of 2013.

As of April 30, he advised that about 61,500 hectares, which reflects about 75 percent, was reaped.

He however, pointed out that the rainy season which is now officially on will have a negative impact on the rice yet to be harvested.