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Assist the producers
Dear Editor,
Reference is made to Michael Maxwell’s missive on higher prices of chicken in Guyana than America (KN Aug 5). I concur with Maxwell’s observations, but also wish to point out that chicken and other products are also more costly in other Caribbean countries than in Guyana.
I paid visits to several markets throughout Guyana. Not only meat products, but almost everything seems more expensive in Guyana than America. Even plantains and bananas, which are not grown in NY, are at times cheaper.
I had planned to purchase some items and take to America but decided against it. The same fish and vegetables that come from Guyana are cheaper in NY than in Guyana. Pineapple jam, imported from Guyana, is cheaper in NY. Dried fish is cheaper in NY than in Guyana. Food is cheaper in NY, in relative terms, because of importation from so many sources around the globe where production is lower than in Guyana. There is stiff competition in food supplies in NY leading to lower prices.
The cost of producing goods (chicken included) seems to be higher in Guyana than in other places resulting in higher prices and we need to find a way to reduce costs of production as well as assist the farmers. But often, farmers don’t heed the advice of government and don’t plant foods strategically for year-round supplies and fair pricing. Chicken feed is higher in Guyana than overseas. Government can assist here or suggest cheaper alternative feeds.
While cost of living is relatively high in Guyana vis-a-vis income, it is higher in other territories. I travel to virtually all of the islands and prices are lower in Guyana for most items. In fact, people in other territories tell me Guyana is cheaper to live than in their home countries. For me, NY is cheaper to live.
In terms of Guyana, because of low income, with no fault of the government, people have difficulties affording purchases of needed items. However, government needs to find a way to lower the cost of production of foods that farmers can pass on to consumers and I read the Agriculture Ministry is working on that project. Also, efforts should be made to assist farmers with exports to countries (St. Martin, Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, etc.) where they can fetch good prices.
Vishnu Bisram
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