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Venezuelan rice deal is a reality
Dear Editor,
We respond to a letter published in the Tuesday, November 10 edition of Kaieteur News re: “What has happened to the Venezuela rice deal”, by Lenny Sumair Singh.
It seems as though Lenny has been misled or deliberate in his letter to cast a negative shadow on the acquisition of the first ever Venezuelan Market for Guyana’s rice. However, there continues to be speculations that are arising in various nukes and corner of our country with regards to the rice industry. First it was the price, then problems with millers and now there are folks who are trying to instigate trouble by actively spreading rumours that the Venezuelan markets are no more. The government has been diligent in exercising support for the rice farmers and the industry as a whole.
Well, I have got news for readers of the letter columns – the price issues are resolved, the millers have decided to pay on a timely basis and with intervention from the Minister, the rice factory act is now in full effect.
Also, I wish to bring to the attention of readers that the Venezuelan market bargains have concluded and the first shipment of rice is expected to leave our shores this week. Some would ask how I know this. I wish to emphasise that this is public knowledge and once you follow the operations of the Guyana Rice Development Board, any farmer, miller or interested person can retrieve such information.
Mr. Singh seems to be in a slumber or out of whack of what is happening, his information about the rice industry and the Venezuelan Market seems to reflect that of several weeks before the agreement was actually signed. Wake up and smell the rice being exported from Guyana to Venezuela this week.
It is very amusing sometimes to see individuals who proclaim to be rice experts put pen on paper and bring false information to the public. This misleading information can change the mindset of the farmers and other stakeholders in the industry. I wish to say that if a tire is punctured, it can be inflated once more but when someone’s mind is broken or derailed, it can be disastrous and can lead to rash decisions which might be detrimental to the performance of that individual and the rice industry as a whole.
It is these same writers and sometime, ghost writers who create havoc and put incorrect information in the media and when proven wrong or incorrect, they refuse to correct themselves.
This behaviour is equivalent to a coward. Why this lowlife behaviour? Why mislead the public? What good does it do to the public? I strongly suggest that if some people are looking for fame, they should try joining Hollywood or Bollywood.
I humbly implore on all readers to ignore these self proclaimed rice experts and pay direct heed to the agencies that are responsible for rice in our country. Also, I am very thankful to the respective authorities who spend their time and efforts in gaining a secure rice market and I hope that my fellow rice farmers and stakeholders in the industry work along with the Rice Board’s plan to have a consistent level of high quality production.
Saleem Hamid
On behalf of Region Two Rice Farmers
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