Price fluctuations, weather changes plague rice farmers

Jul 30, 2013 News

…Armogan says cattle industry being threatened

More rice farmers are facing difficulties, one of which is price fluctuations and weather pattern changes. These are preventing them from enjoying the full benefits of the industry, says the President of the Guyana Rice Producers Association (GRPA) Leekah Rambrich .
Rambrich also happens to be the President of the Central Corentyne Chambers of Commerce (CCCC) at the opening of Berbice Expo 2013. “Massive potential exist in the rice sector and once productive crop assurance can be made affordable, then the industry is poised to make an economic difference,” he stated.
Cash- crop, agriculture, small agro-processing, small manufacturing and timber, he said, all form part of the diverse framework of Berbice agro- based economy “for income generation…but the story does not end there.”
Equally important, he added, the private sector and public sector continue to place earnings into the pockets of the citizens and “over the years we have seen private sector businesses reflecting constant growth and expansion…signaling to investors that Guyana’s economy is sound, solid and proper appreciation of micro and micro- economic principles.”
The private sector, over the years, has experienced “positive relations with the government, leading to a reduction of corporate tax and encouraging more construction, trade and commerce.”
While Berbice continues to receive “equitable” share of resources from government, private sector, he said, should continue to expand and grow “if we are to experience the full potential of our region.”
This will bring new jobs and increase profitability, wealth and attract new clientele and access of financing ranging from micro to macro needs “easily being available from the major commercial banks.” Region Six Chairman, David Armogan, at the same event, stated, “We are trying to forge closer partnerships between the private sector and we in the Government,” he stated.
He mentioned the “sound regularity framework” for people who want to do business in Region Six as well as investing “substantially” in training Berbicians especially the women, “so that we can have a ready and reliable labour force that can assist businesses in their development.”
He mentioned, too, an “upsurge” in business interest from overseas- based Guyanese who are now “willing to invest their money in our country, since the confidence in our economy has grown over the years.” Agriculture, he stated, is the base of the regional economy and “over the years, we have been experiencing increased production in rice and cash- crops, livestock and cattle and in every other sector.”
“Today, we see the cattle industry is being threatened by more and more people utilizing the landscape available to plant rice…there will come a time when we will have to make serious decisions to demarcate the lands used for rice and those that are available for cattle rearing.” The businesses, he urged, will have to compete in a modern environment.
The Chairman challenged the business owners to modernize and
re- capitalize. “We cannot continue in our traditional ways and expect to stay in business, and when we fail, we blame government for our failure…we have to look at new and improved techniques to produce higher and better quality of goods and services, at competitive prices.”
One of the major disadvantages, he stated, is the cost of electricity, “and this is why our government is committed to building the Amaila Hydro project.
However, the combined Opposition, like Rip van Winkle, has suddenly awakened from its slumber and has now decided that the project is no longer good for Guyana. What they want to give you is another kind of hydro that can only be corrected by surgery.”
(Leon Suseran)

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Price fluctuations, weather changes plague rice farmers

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