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GRDB not surprise by PNCR and AFC’s condemnation of Rice Factories Act

Oct 25, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) is not surprised by the PNCR condemnation of the amendment of the Rice Factories Act to provide additional protection from the few unscrupulous millers who delay and or deny payment to farmers for paddy purchased.
The Alliance for Change and the Chairman, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan also criticised Government for seeking to put in place a legal framework to protect our farmers and ensure a functioning and viable rice industry.
The PNCR should recall its mismanagement and neglect of the rice industry which led to production to just over 90,000 tonnes per annum and export was just 25,000 tonnes per annum around the period when it left office.
In fact the run down state of the industry under the PNCR saw only about 93,000 tonnes of rice produced. Today the PNCR no doubt ashamed of its performance and the AFC is now joining to discredit the sound management of the industry, and hard work of our farmers, millers, processor and exporters.
The PNCR’s solution in those days was based on neglect and running away from the issues, and after a process of nationalisation, just simply giving away all the major rice mills. Continually over the past several years, this year will also see cultivation of the highest in Guyana’s history and production reaching the highest in our history, is part of the record breaking developments in the rice sector.
The absence of the PNCR during last Thursday’s Parliamentary Debate is indicative of their non-support for farmers, particularly rice farmers. The Bill that was presented is a display of government’s continued commitment to find solutions and new measures to protect farmers and ensure timely payment to continue their activities.
Today, despite many global market and natural challenges, the government has made numerous strides to modernize and make more competitive Guyana’s rice industry. The PNCR term in office and while in opposition there was no attempts to protect farmers. Today the GRDB as the lead agency is advancing necessary measures and action to protect farmers and other stakeholders in this very important economic sector.
In the PNC days there was no bill to protect farmers and now this government is enacting relevant regulations to protect farmers every effort is being made to discredit the ruling government. This is the kind of discrepancy the government has to face from the opposition, while protecting the rights of our farmers and the rice industry as a whole.
In fact, the conclusion of the Venezuela Rice Purchase Agreement is testimony to government’s commitment to ensure the rice industry remains competitive and sustainable.
The Ministry of Agriculture through the GRDB will continue to initiate steps to address production, marketing, extension and research and product development activities to sustain the growth and expansion of Guyana’s rice industry.
GRDB

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