Latest update January 23rd, 2025 7:40 AM
AFC proposes plan to revive ailing rice industry
Kemraj Ramjattan, AFC- Chairman
By Brushell Blackman
The Alliance for Change (AFC) has outlined a set of policies that it says will lift the rice industry from its current crisis.
The AFC believes that these policies will ensure the industry realises its full potential and ensure greater profitability within the sector.
Speaking at a press conference, yesterday, at the Side Walk Café, Chairman of the party, Khemraj Ramjattan, said the government has to take different approaches rather than relying on the ‘saviour to the rescue’ mentality.
Ramjattan believes that these approaches will work for the long term rather than achieving short-term solutions.
According to him, the first step the government should embark upon is regaining the respect within Caricom that Guyana can be a reliable supplier of quality products.
The party chairman alluded to the recent ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) that was openly flouted by the government. He said the government should comply with the rule of trade concerning goods from Caricom.
Rhetorically he asked, “How can Trinidad attempt to buy our rice when this country is sourcing cement from outside the region?”
He believes that issues like these only work to the detriment of the country since we cannot consume all that we produce.
He said that another approach is for better access to capital by farmers, for this he said the establishment of an Agricultural Development Bank is a feasible approach.
He said this institution would not only serve rice farmers but all spheres of agricultural activity within the country.
Moreover, the AFC is contending that the dependence on imported pesticides, weedicides and fertilizers are placing a sever burden on the industry.
Ramjattan believes that this dependence can be lessened if institutions such as the University of Guyana and the National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) produce disease resistant varieties and provide generic planting material.
He said that planting and reproductive material should be made widespread within the rice farming community.
The former PPP/C member is calling for the manufacturing of value added products such as rice cereals, flakes and flour so that a culture can be engendered for citizens to eat what they produce rather than looking to other countries for our foods.
He also made a call for Government to support the World Bank’s proposal on agriculture insurance. This, he said, will compensate farmers in the event that their crops are affected by unusual or other circumstances.
The need for an increase in agricultural competitiveness was also mooted since it is the party’s belief that this will provide a sustainable market mechanism.
The Chairman called on the government to develop better work plans with Brazil since that country possesses a glut for rice with its growing population and strong economy.
Ramjattan said that he does not see logistical problems arising since the recent commissioning of the Takutu Bridge will assist trade relations between the two countries. He believes the government should seize on this opportunity and encourage large-scale rice cultivation in Region Nine.
The party believes there should be a complete overhaul to the drainage and irrigation system, he said. This, he said, is essential to meaningful and productive farming.
Ramjattan said that the maintenance of canals in these areas should be given to the farmers, rather than awarding hefty contracts to private individuals to undertake.
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