New High-Yielding Rice Variety GRDB-18 Launched
October 15, 2024 – Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, officially launched the GRDB-18, a new high-yielding rice variety, underscoring the government’s commitment to advancing research and innovation in the rice industry.
This marks the third rice variety introduced in less than four years, reflecting efforts to enhance the nation’s agricultural productivity and food security.
During his remarks at the launch yesterday, Minister Mustapha highlighted the significance of the GRDB-18 variety for commercial cultivation, calling it a “testament to the government’s dedication to the rice sector.” He emphasized that continued investment in research and development is key to ensuring food security and maintaining Guyana’s status as a leading rice producer.
The GRDB-18 variety has been specially bred to address the specific challenges faced by local rice farmers. With the potential to yield between seven to nine tonnes per hectare, it competes with other top-performing varieties currently in use.
Additionally, GRDB-18 offers enhanced tolerance to water lodging, an essential feature for ensuring high-quality harvests, and can withstand delayed harvesting for up to 14 days, providing farmers with greater flexibility.
Minister Mustapha noted that the introduction of this variety reaffirms the government’s focus on bolstering the agricultural sector through continuous innovation and support for farmers. The new rice variety is expected to play a vital role in boosting yields and further strengthening the country’s rice industry.
