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GRDB not doing much for farmers – Robert Persaud

Mar 07, 2009 News

There is much dissatisfaction with the manner in which the Guyana Rice Development Board has been dealing with the farming community, Minister of Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud said.
Speaking at a meeting with rice millers, Persaud said that he himself is unhappy with services being offered by the GRDB to farmers, adding that much more needs to be done by the organisation.
During this year, he noted, focus will be placed on the rehabilitation of the Borman Station and the building of new rice facilities at Numbers 52 and 74 villages, Berbice.
According to Persaud, the GRBD has to employ over 50 new persons to be stationed at rice mills and buying centres around the country.
He said that a decision was taken to have a GRDB representative at all the mills and buying centres, since there is always dispute at those facilities between farmers and buyers over the grade and price for paddy.
With the revenue cut on GRBD by $240M to facilitate competitive paddy prices for farmers, Persaud said that the next dilemma is where the organisation will get the revenue from to continue its work.
“By employing new persons we are increasing expenditure, while at the same time reducing income by cutting the export commission.”
On Thursday the Minister announced that the export commission on rice was reduced from US$10 to US$4 in an effort to have millers offer farmers a much more competitive price for paddy.
This reduction will represent a $240M slash from the Guyana Rice Development Board ‘development fund’.
The commissions on rice exports are directed to the GRDB into a fund, which is utilised for enhancement and improvement activities within the sector.
This announcement comes days after farmers have been complaining that they are not receiving a competitive price for their paddy.
During a meeting the same day, rice millers also expressed their frustration with the price for the commodity, adding that they are also operating at a loss.
At present the possible reduction or withdrawal of excise tax on fuel for the industry is being explored.

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