Region Two RPA protest for concessions, Government intervention

Sep 24, 2015 News

A protest organized by representatives of the Rice Producers Association (RPA) and a group of rice farmers in the vicinity of the Anna Regina high bridge and the Region Two Democratic Council office, saw a call for Government intervention.
During the protest, rice farmers reiterated concerns about the low price for a bag of paddy. They also spoke about the continuing late and non-payments that millers customarily subject farmers to.
Dharamkumar Seeraj, RPA General Secretary was also present and addressed the farmers.
This would be the latest in a string of protests, after rice farmers from Regions Two, Three, Five and Six picketed the Ministries of Agriculture and the Presidency. They also picketed the office of the REO of Region six (East Berbice- Corentyne), Dr. Veerasammy Ramayya demanding information from the Government regarding the industry.
According to Seeraj, the rice industry is in “big trouble”, while millers are in a similar dilemma. Seeraj said that the protest was to draw attention to issues of late payments to rice farmers, in addition to the current price that millers are offering farmers for a bag of paddy.
The RPA secretary said that when it was announced by the Finance Minister, Winston Jordan in the 2015 budget that $23B was set aside for rice farmers, he had a bit of hope but that hope was however lost after it was recognized that they were no monies reserved in the budget to pay rice farmers.
“Farmers are not unreasonable, if we get $3000 for a bag of paddy, we don’t have a problem, no farmer can survive on $2500. If the going is good we will find our way, if the going is bad, we need the support of the Government,” he said.
According to Seeraj, consultations with Noel Holder had revealed that there were no concessions or monies set aside for rice farmers. He called on the new Government to implement concessions and to lend support to rice farmers, in light of recent events.
Seeraj asserted that the new government has ‘abandoned’ the rice farmers, while lamenting that no one in authority is saying anything or reaching out to rice farmers.
Rice farmers in Region Two contended that problems within the Industry have gotten worse. According to them, they have never been in such a position before.
President of the Essequibo Paddy Farmers Association, Naith Ram also appealed to the new Government for interventions into the rice sector. He is contending that the rice industry is deeply affected based on the price that is being offered.
According to Ram, the millers are offering rice farmers from $2100 downwards for a bag of paddy, while the cost to produce a bag of paddy varies between $2600 and $2700.
Ram called on the new administration to review the Rice Factory’s Act and implement a fine on delinquent millers who fail to pay rice farmers within the stipulated time.

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Region Two RPA protest for concessions, Government intervention

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