The compensation relief grant will certainly enable these farmers to have cash available to restart

Aug 26, 2021 Letters

Dear Editor,

The recent presentation made by Honorable Zulfikar Mustapha in a round table discussion on the role of farmers and rural communities in the sustainability of agri food systems, organised by the Council of the Americas and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), is evidence of the Minister’s hands-on approach to the managing of the Agriculture Sector. He has garnered so much first-hand information is less than a year in that capacity.
The Minister reminded those present that, ‘We must improve the conditions of food producers, who are the true generators of wealth.’ He made it abundantly clear that the establishment of infrastructure for the processing of crops in rural areas will add value, and which in turn will increase the profitability of the farming activities. The thousands who attended his numerous outreaches will know that this is what he continuously reiterated and what he assiduously worked towards achieving. The numerous challenges, which the Agriculture sector has had to endure, have never been greater in any time in our history, but with every challenge, a speedy resolution was put in place.
The devastating effects of climate change will no doubt cause the Sector to face even more challenges in the future but it is a heartening relief to note, that the Government’s agrarian policies are geared to mitigate those disastrous effects. The recent flood wreaked havoc in the Sector and the Government worked non-stop to ensure that the negative effects of the flood are minimised. It deployed all its resources in not only giving immediate relief with food supplies and other necessities but give monetary relief to the thousands of cattle farmers, rice farmers and cash crop farmers. The amount allocated is $7.8 billion and this may very well have to be amended as more assessment is being done. This is the largest compensation package ever to be handed out, and this shows the policy of this Government to ‘improve the conditions of food producers’ and mitigate the fallouts of the flood. This will motivate farmers to produce without fear of similar situations in the future and encourage more persons to take up farming. I could recall the Coalition’s Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, in response to rice farmers’ plea for assistance, said that the government had no responsibility to the farmers, that the rice Industry was privately owned. Would the Coalition have given the farmers any relief if they were still in government? NO is the answer!
The compensation relief grant will certainly enable these farmers to have cash available to restart their respective farming ventures without borrowing or utilising savings. The farmers who collected the grant were loud in praise for the Government and many described it in glowing terms. It brought great relief and it is a great initiative. The small man is beginning to feel like the real man as this Government continues to roll out the good life to each and every one of its citizens. It was a shame to read what some of the GOAR presenters at the Brooklyn Rally spoke and racism, injustice and marginalisation practiced by this Government against Afro-Guyanese.
There is no doubt that indeed the small farmers hold the key to food security not only in Guyana but in the Region as was highlighted by Minister Mustapha, and as the Government continues to roll out its policies there is no doubt that this will be achieved.
Yours sincerely,
Haseef Yusuf

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The compensation relief grant will certainly enable these farmers to have cash available to restart

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