Lázaro Raúl González, CPI
HERRADURA, March - A new measure announced by the provincial agricultural authorities provides that all the rice must be harvested by October 21. The measure is designed to combat the twin plagues Steneotarsonemus spinki and Saroclaudio orizae.
The new regulation establishes a planting period up to March 31 if dry and April 10 if wet for State farms. Private producers working in the vicinity of State farms may plant up to April 30 if planting seed and May 25 if planting seedlings. Others may plant up to June 15 in seed and July 10 in
seedlings.
For most producers, these limitations translate into a limit of one crop a year. There had been rumors that new regulations were coming, but the news did not become official until this month.
Rice growers claim the new regulations impose hardships on them. Most growers who do not have pumps or gravity irrigation have traditionally planted on the weather, usually in July, August and September, which would not leave enough time to harvest under the new regulations.
The new regulations also preclude the planting of the popular C-9 variety, which must be harvested in November, no matter when planted. This has been a popular variety due to its high yields, good taste, resistance to drought and ability to compete with weeds.
The new measures also mean a reduction in yearly production, since they imply a one-crop-a-year limitation. Presumably this will translate to higher prices, presently 4 pesos a pound, or one half a day's wages.
In this westernmost province, there are 38,000 registered rice growers out of a population of 732,000.
Versión original en español
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