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One of the many farmers’ programmes being executed by GRDB on behalf of Govt.
Dear Editor,
In response to the letter in SN, January 16, by Mr. Bramdeow Singh: Instead of giving paddy vouchers for fertilizers the money should go to MMA to clean canals. I would like to inform Mr. Bramdeow Singh and others like him, that this is one of the many farmers’ programmes that the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) is executing on behalf of the Government.
A background to this programme is below, but allow me to state the following; after the farmers would have approached President Bharrat Jagdeo, and he agreed to assist, the GRDB and the Guyana Producers Association (RPA) held numerous consultations across the rice growing regions. As a matter of fact Mr. Bramdeow Singh was present at one such session, when the Minister of Agriculture, Robert M. Persaud was at the Bush Lot School. During our consultation the farmers requested the following:
1. A subsidy on fertilizer.
2. Enhancing the capacity for the drying of paddy.
3. The direct cash payment was rejected by them all.
This was reported to President Jagdeo, and he advised that these are good suggestions and both should be in the final programme. These are the farmers “wishes” and not a one-man dictate as Mr. Bramdeow is trying to advice. Secondly giving the entire farmers’ assistance to MMA would only benefit the farmers in MMA/ADA Irrigation Scheme, and could not benefit all rice farmers in Guyana.
Below are a background of the programme and the current stage of implementation.
Background: The Government through the RPA and GRDB has embarked on a timely programme to assist rice farmers across Guyana affected by the global economic crisis. It was recognised that many farmers suffered as a result of high competition, drop in demand and reduced prices for rice worldwide.
Rice farmers in Guyana found it difficult to locate and sustain the supply of rice to the Caribbean and international markets and were forced to reduce their prices while the cost of fertilizer increased steadily. Many farmers were forced to retain their stock, faced spoilage or find alternative local markets. However, these among other measures did not solve the problem and many rice farmers encountered major losses.
In response to this global crisis the Government allocated the sum of $400 million as a measure of assistance, particularly for the most vulnerable and affected farmers in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. This assistance is implemented by the GRDB in collaboration with the RPA and the Ministry of Agriculture in the following areas:
I. Distribution of Fertilizer ($208,120,000)
II. Construction of 12 drying facilities ($180,000,000) III. Technical Assistance (Administration) ($11,880,000)
Distribution of Fetilizer Vouchers
As of the 28th of December , 2009 , a total of 5,324 rice farmers have received vouchers under the programme . The total value of voucher distributed is $172,217,936.
A break down with regards the number of farmers per Region and the value of vouchers recived are outlined below.
Initial distrubution of vouchers is completed. However, queries are currently being addressed. This process was expected to be completed by the end of the first week of January, 2010. After which the final distribution of vouchers commenced and expected to be completed in one week.
Construction of 12 drying facilities
Identification of areas for the construction of the Drying Facilities has commenced. The technical design and bill of quantities are presently being done by an Engineer. Ground preparation works has stated in Regions 3, 5 and 6. In Region 3, construction of one of the drying floor has commenced.
Let me inform that it is possible to check with my office for any information on rice.
Jagnarine Singh
General Manager
GRDB
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