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Govt. promises stronger drainage support, fertiliser relief, for rice farmers amidst world crisis
(Kaieteur News) – Rice farmers at Wakenaam are set to benefit from expanded government support, as Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha signaled new interventions aimed at easing production challenges driven by rising global costs.
During a recent outreach to the island, Mustapha assured farmers that greater emphasis will be placed on improving drainage systems, expanding access to machinery, and reintroducing fertiliser relief measures.
Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha
The minister acknowledged ongoing issues with drainage and irrigation, noting that the chairman of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) had already been dispatched to assess and address concerns in the community.
“We will have to put a more robust system in place to ensure that all the machinery on the island is used more effectively,” Mustapha said, pointing to growing demand from farmers for access to equipment. He added that current operations, where both land clearing and bed preparation are being undertaken, may need to be reassessed to improve efficiency and expand reach.
With fertiliser prices surging globally, Mustapha admitted that farmers are under pressure. He noted that the cost of a bag of fertiliser has doubled from around $6,000 earlier this year, raising concerns about the sustainability of production.
While no final decision has been announced, the minister revealed that discussions are already underway to roll out support measures similar to previous fertiliser assistance programmes.
“We are hoping that we can have similar measures put into place that we had before,” he said, suggesting that relief could be imminent.
At the same time, Mustapha urged farmers to move beyond traditional practices and embrace newer technologies, including the use of nano fertilisers.
He highlighted recent trials at the Mahaicony Burma Rice Research Station, where the application of nano fertiliser yielded approximately 6.6 tonnes per hectare demonstrating its potential to boost productivity while reducing reliance on conventional inputs like urea.
Despite government subsidies on the product, the minister expressed concern that uptake among farmers remains low.
“You the farmers will have to take advantage,” he stated. He noted that the government has sourced supplies internationally and is actively subsidising costs to encourage adoption.
Even as global rice prices decline, Mustapha reassured farmers that the government remains committed to protecting their livelihoods.
Systems, he said, are being put in place to cushion the impact of market fluctuations and rising input costs, ensuring that farmers are not left behind during a period of economic uncertainty.
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Key Focus: Govt promises stronger drainage support, more fertilizer relief, new measures for rice farmers amidst world crisis
Lede: Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha during a recent visit to Wakenaam promised rice farmers that there will be granter emphasis placed on drainage support, further fertilizer relief and other new measures put in light of the current situation globally.
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