The Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA) has condemned in the strongest possible terms, the over 600 per cent increase in land rent and other charges for farmers by the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary-Agriculture Development Authority (MMA/ADA).
Rice farmers in the project area are now being commanded to pay $15,000 per acre, a major increase from $3500 just last year for land rent and drainage and irrigation charges.
Cattle and other crop farmers are now forced to pay $3900, a more than 100 per cent increase from the previous fee.
The RPA has described the increases as “draconian”, especially at a time when farmers are getting low prices for their produce.
Compounding the situation, the representative body highlighted the fact that there were no consultations with the farmers prior to imposing the new fee structure.
“The RPA is calling on all farmers to resist this draconian increase and show solidarity with all as we join in the call for the reversal of this decision which was taken without any consultation with farmers, their association or any other stakeholders,” the RPA urged.
The Association disclosed that Agriculture Minister Noel Holder had defended the increases by equating them to “three beers” per day. The RPA asserted that the Minister’s sentiment is insulting and demeaning to the farming population and it demanded that the Minister apologise to the farmers for his statement.
Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, during his recent press conference, also condemned the increases imposed on the farming population of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).
Jagdeo pointed out that farming is the main economic activity in the Region and was at a loss to understand why Government would want to put additional burdens on a segment of the population that has no alternative for earning a livelihood other than depending on agriculture.
The MMA/ADA and farmers have been at loggerheads since 2015 when Government moved to cancel the leases for several farmers. This resulted in a group of West Coast Berbice rice farmers filing a lawsuit against Government.
After months of hearings, former Chief Justice Ian Chang in February 2016 quashed the cancellation of the leases in favour of the farmers.
However, the farmers said they were subsequently informed by General Manager of MMA/ADA Aubrey Charles that President Granger has cancelled their leases.
