Guyana’s minister of agriculture has revealed national adaptation strategies to ensure the country’s rice production is not brought down by climate change, AlertNet reports.
Developing new rice varieties with flood, drought and salinity tolerance is of particular focus, as many rice farmers suffered major crop losses during the floods of 2005 and droughts of 2009.
The government also identifies the need to introduce new management techniques, such as relocating rice cultivation to higher ground, and building shade houses for temperature-sensitive crops.
As a major export crop, the adaptation of rice cultivation to climate change is critical to Guyana’s economy and the livelihoods of its smallholder farmers.
