Migratory birds new pests in Essequibo rice industry

Migratory birds new pests in Essequibo rice industry
Guyana Chronicle, 7 February 2008
RICE farmers in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) need help to get rid of
thousands of birds which are attacking their cultivations.

A report, to the Drainage and Irrigation, Agriculture and Works
Sub-Committee of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), said the birds
are sucking out the milk from young grains.

A member of that group, Mr. Saywack Lall, said the flocks are on the
attack in thousands at Golden Fleece and Perseverance on Essequibo
Coast and he called for the intervention of the Agriculture Ministry.

Some 32,500 acres are currently being cultivated in the 'Cinderella
County' and Lall said the plants are in the flowering stage.

Senior Extension Officer of Guyana Rice Development Board, Mr. Cyril
Lochan, told Regional Vice-Chairman, Mr. Vishnu Samaroo and the other
members of the sub-committee that the birds have become a new pest.

Another member, Mr. Ayube Khan, said the situation is very serious
because farmers depend on the crop for their livelihood and the birds
are creating havoc in the Pomeroon, too.

He said the birds are migrating to Essequibo Coast because of large
scale mining and forestry operations in the hinterland.