Latest update December 20th, 2024 4:27 AM
Latest News
- EPA shamefully omitted sections Exxon Permit to argue against unlimited parent company guarantee for oil spills- Dr. Adams
- Hicken appointed top cop
- Israeli attacks pummel Gaza’s north as UN denounces lack of aid access
- Brutus refutes claims of attempting to leave Guyana
- Man gets life imprisonment sentence for felonious wounding
Gov’t to engage GRMA on paddy prices – Agri Minister tells Region Two farmers
− Says farmers who suffered losses due to inclement weather to receive assistance
Kaieteur News – Agriculture Minister, Honourable Zulfikar Mustapha on Tuesday, met with farmers on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two, during which he promised to address the high paddy prices and to compensate those who suffered losses due to inclement weather.
The meeting was held at the Rice Producers Association (RPA) bond at Anna Regina.
The ministry in a press release disclosed that while a small group of farmers chose to exit the meeting before directly engaging the visiting team, scores of farmers and residents took the opportunity to sit down with the minister to raise their concerns.
Minister of Agriculture during his engagement with Region Two farmers
It was stated that one farmer told the minister that although the government has been investing heavily to improve the infrastructure and offer assistance in the form of flood relief, seed paddy, and fertilisers, many farmers still need assistance with going back to the land.
“We’ve lost our crop. Some put in the crop; some managed to get the crop to the reaping stage and didn’t get to reap; some put in and it flood out and they didn’t see nothing,” the farmer explained.
While responding to the farmer’s concerns, Minister Mustapha explained that he was aware several farmers suffered losses due to unfavourable weather patterns and that the government will be putting systems in place to ensure those farmers are given assistance to return to the land as soon as possible.
“I have a list with the names of farmers who lost as a result of the weather. We are looking at it and we will see how best we can assist them to go back to the land as soon as possible,” the minister noted.
While pointing out that the price of paddy for the current crop was a burning concern for many farmers, especially in Region Two, Minister Mustapha said he will soon meet with the Guyana Rice Millers’ Association to discuss the matter.
“The main issue today seems to be the price for paddy. Only about 22,000 acres were planted in Region Two for this crop. I will be meeting with the Guyana Rice Millers’ Association on Friday to see if farmers can get better prices for paddy, especially in Region Two. When that meeting is finished, I will communicate with the farmers,” he explained.
While expressing his disappointment with the behaviour of the few who appeared to have a premeditated agenda and attempted to disrupt the meeting, Minister Mustapha said rice farmers have benefitted from a lot of assistance since the government took office in August 2020.
“Since we got back into government, we’ve been trying our best. Many farmers right here on the Essequibo Coast received direct cash payments and seed paddy when we had the flood in 2021. Last crop when the price was low, farmers said that they were not happy and we intervened, and many farmers received $4,000 per bag for paddy last crop. I am very shocked at this behaviour because when farmers were told rice was a private business, they never behaved in this manner. Now we are here to listen to you and work to find solutions to your issues a few are trying to disrupt the meeting. We have to be factual. I am here to listen to you to see how best we can resolve the issues,” he said.
The minister also disclosed that the government will continue to rehabilitate critical infrastructure so that farmers can have access to transport their paddy from the fields.
“This year again, $25 million will be made available to rehabilitate dams in Region Two from the Ministry of Agriculture so that farmers can bring out their paddy.
The Water Users’ Association has $10 million. The seed facility here, I’ve asked GRDB to refurbish it so that we can start producing seed paddy in time for the next crop. Some rice farmers gave me a list with a number of issues so that we can sit down as a team and go through them point by point. For instance, things like zero rated on certain machinery and parts; there are still a number of spare parts that attract VAT because they are also used outside of the sector. We have to work with the GRA to deal with that,” he explained.
- Agriculture Minister, behaviour, fertilisers, Honourable Zulfikar Mustapha, Rice Producers Association (RPA)
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
A question of timing and priorities
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The advent of significant oil discoveries has catapulted Guyana into the global spotlight.... more
Let the asylum seekers go: a first step for Venezuela to rebuild relations in the Americas
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – The government of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela has steadfast support from many... more
Weekend Cartoon
