-to partner with Brazil to expand research
Optimistic from the positive results of trials over the past two years that have shown that certain species of wheat can grow in Guyana, the Ministry of Agriculture continues to expand research and hopes to partner with Brazil for additional trials at locations identified here, Chief Scientist and Plant Breeder at the Guyana Rice Development Board, Dr Mahendra Persaud says.
“During the first round we did some testing. These were all breeding materials and some have reacted well and some have not. In between that, we did many rounds under controlled conditions, but what we know is that it is possible for wheat to grow here…,” Persaud told the Stabroek Business on Thursday when asked for an update.
“In Region Eight, we identified that wheat that can grow in that area and grow well. There is no documentation of wheat that was successfully grown here so this is big news! We made a harvest and are now trying to find out what variety can give good yields so that we are now testing 100 breeding lines,” he added.
The exploration of local wheat production was first announced by President Irfaan Ali in 2022 during the initial phase of the Russia/Ukraine war that resulted in worldwide shortages of wheat on the market. Further, the possibility of wheat production in Guyana was also looked at as a strategy to curb the impacts of shortages and escalating prices. “Soon we are going to work to see whether we can find a variety of wheat that we can plant in Guyana, so that we can fulfill even our local requirement. We are learning important lessons now that we must not leave unanswered for future generations,” President Ali had said. The price of wheat globally, during that period had skyrocketed coupled with other supply challenges that saw this country’s National Milling Company (Namilco) announcing a 15 per cent increase in the price of flour.
That increase was never reduced.
100 genotypes
Guyana’s Chief Plant Breeder explained that starting out, and given that wheat is traditionally a crop grown under cool to moderate temperatures, a decision was taken to try out the over “100 genotypes” or varieties, given by Mexico.
From that phase where they planted varying species received from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) of Mexico, at the highlands of Paramakatoi, Region Eight, he said results showed that “some reacted well and some have not.”
“We have tested quite a few, the materials we got from CIMMYT, and they [CIMMYT) have been a big help,” he said.
This month the team will be in the Lethem area as they begin another round of trials using the same 100 varieties.
Persaud said that they also are currently in discussions with a Brazilian agriculture research team to obtain varieties from them, as those researchers had successfully produced a genotype suitable for tropical conditions. However, they have not yet gotten positive feedback. However, he pointed out that this country has ongoing cooperation with the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA). And in the meantime, they will go ahead with planting the genotypes given by Mexico as they await word.
“We are in discussions with Brazilian researchers to get some materials, seeds. They had developed some materials under these tropical conditions which we would want to do here. Wheat is a temporary crop and has to grow under certain conditions. We are in the tropical and equatorial zone so we have to get a genotype; a type of material that will perform under the conditions here,” Guyana’s lead rice researcher said.
He is optimistic that the trials at Lethem will see a good crop from at least one of the many varieties, given that the area has similar atmospheric conditions as Region Eight and the soil type needed for the grain to thrive. But with all research, he explained that one has to wait until the trial phase is over to know what success levels there are.
“It is possible to grow wheat here and we have seen that with the Region Eight trial, but these things take time. The first hurdle we crossed was knowing if wheat can grow in Guyana and that was affirmed because we conducted the research and grown and harvested. Now it is to assess performances to move on with it,” he said.
And while trials will continue in regions Nine and Eight, Dr Persaud said that at the Burma Research Station, work continues around the clock. “We test in conditioned areas at the centre and that will continue. It is time and a process and not just taking something and putting it in the environment,” he added, noting that the process must be fact-based before they pronounce.
Dependent on factors
When it was announced that Guyana would experiment with wheat production, veteran plant pathologist with over 25 years of experience at the Ohio State University in the United States, Professor Pierce Paul, had said that Guyana’s chances of becoming a successful wheat producing country are dependent on a number of factors including identifying the right wheat variety and adaptability to local climatic conditions.
At the Agri-Investment Forum and Expo at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre at Liliendaal in 2022, Professor Paul had described some of the complexities in wheat cultivation, saying that it is pivotal that the right variety be selected for the success of wheat crop production. Paul noted that not all wheat grains are equal and if farmers are looking at commercial wheat production as a country or a region, they must understand that a single wheat grain will not give the output for a specific product.
“The type of wheat we do produce will dictate what type of product you can make from that wheat. All wheat can be used to make flour but what you can use the wheat for will depend on the type of wheat that you produce. These types of wheat brans vary in their protein content. They vary in that gluten strain. And these are important traits and important characteristics to determine what type of flour will give what type of products you can purchase,” he explained.
Addressing the matter of local climatic conditions, Dr Paul had highlighted two key considerations. The first is that an understanding of Guyana’s climatic conditions will determine the potential variety of wheat that can thrive here. Wheat does well under conditions where nights are cooler as opposed to the hot dry day, he said. This is a critical point, according to Paul, since if Guyana is not able to cultivate multiple varieties, it must be able to alternatively identify suitable varieties that can be used to create a mixture for product manufacturing. Secondly, Professor Paul stressed that focus must also be placed on basic agronomic practices, such as nitrogen application programmes and pest and diseases control.
“With Guyana being a hot humid country, pests and diseases are likely to impact the wheat quality if you don’t have the systems in place to effectively manage and reduce some of those concerns,” he pointed out. He stated that finding varieties that are resistant to pests and diseases in the trial phase are excellent indicators for cultivation as the first step. Professor Paul also praised the country for moving away from traditional crops and looking at new ones. “I commend the group that’s working on raising wheat in Guyana… it’s a step in the right direction towards food security and self-sufficiency. It is good to see this age old concept of food security and self-sufficiency resurface again.” He went on to state that while Guyana is in its trial phase, the research being undertaken on over 30 varieties will determine an understanding of which varieties are the best to adapt to Guyana climatic conditions.
