Rice farmers claim GRPA bias

Jun 22, 2011 News

General Secretary of the Guyana Rice Producers’ Association (GRPA), Dharamkumar Seeraj, stated that the only bias the entity has is towards the representation of its members. He emphasized that whenever resources are being distributed on behalf of Government, absoluely no bias exists.
He was at the time responding to rice farmers’ claims that the association has been biased in the distribution of resources and representation.
Seeraj noted that through public fora the needs of farmers are ascertained. He explained that during these fora, names of farmers are complied and follow-up public meetings are held where the list is displayed. However, some farmers are afraid to speak out against deviants who want to exploit the system since they all live and work in the same community.
He stressed that resources are only given to rice farmers, but some landlords produce documents showing they own rice fields to obtain assistance.
The rice farmers also claimed that the cost for producing rice outweighs the returns in some instances. They pointed out that a bag of paddy is for $4,000 while fertilizer and fuel are being sold at high costs.
Seeraj asserted that fertilizer from urea is from the petroleum industry so whatever happens to the oil industry has a direct impact on urea. All input coming into Guyana is imported by traders who markup their prices with the intention of making a profit.
However, the GRPA, owing to financial limitations, can only afford to import a limited supply of fertilizers to help regulate the price on the market, since Guyana has a free market system.
As a consequence of the free market system, the body has been encouraging more persons to get involved in milling to make the price for paddy more competitive. This would enable farmers to get a better price for their produce.
While some farmers are disgruntled with the millers because they take too long to pay for the paddy, others noted that they are more helpful than the banks.
Seeraj noted that there are some dishonest millers, but some rice farmers do take fertilizers and other resources from millers instead of accessing financing from banks.
The GRPA has advised farmers on numerous occasions not to owe millers because the repercussions are serious. Seeraj stressed that millers give farmers items (mainly fertilizers) at a credit price that is higher than they actually cost. He contended that millers give farmers credit for two main reasons: 1. to make money; and 2. ensure they are supplied with paddy at the end of the crop.
However, millers have complained that farmers sell their paddy to other millers at the end of the crop. Seeraj noted that is the prerogative of the farmers.

Latest News

Rice farmers claim GRPA bias

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Welcome and Sattaur hat-tricks power West Ruimvelt’s emphatic win

Mominul, Jaker help Bangladesh avoid follow on

Rutherford’s stunning century in vain as...

Bentick’s hat-trick lifts YMCA to $1M and...

Final batch of tickets for opening match released

NSC to host National Awards Ceremony on Thursday

Features/Columnists

The business class also funds undemocratic parties

Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all

Too many sharks too close for comfort

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Rice farmers claim GRPA bias

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]