$250M in fertiliser support for Region 2 farmers – VP Jagdeo

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday met with farmers of Region Two at the Rice Producers Association bond at Anna Regina, and announced that farmers in Region Two would be receiving $250 million in fertiliser support from Government.
Funds to purchase this fertiliser would come from the $1 billion set aside by Government to purchase fertiliser for free distribution among farmers across the country.

Dr. Jagdeo said the farmers and the regional authorities would then decide where the fertiliser would be purchased, and how it would be distributed. In fact, it was announced that farmers from the respective Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), along with regional officials and representatives of the Water Producers’ Association, would form a 20-member group that would ensure the equitable distribution of fertiliser in in the region.
“So you will get $250 million, this group, and then you will have to decide where you can get the fertiliser, the cheapest, who would supply it, and how it will be distributed and to whom, and how much they will get, each person will get,” the VP explained to the farmers.
The Government’s move to provide fertiliser to the farmers follows meetings in the regions by the Vice President, at which farmers raised that concern. Dr Jagdeo said this is in keeping with his promise to assist, and it would greatly offset overhead costs incurred by the farmers.
He explained that the $1billion was prorated, and respective regions would receive the funds based on their production output.
VP Jagdeo also expressed hope that, following discussions, the group of farmers selected from the various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and the Water Users’ Association would distribute the fertiliser equitably, with focus on the small farmers.
President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, in a recent Address to the Nation, announced several measures aimed at cushioning the effects of the rising cost of living, among which are the purchase of the fertiliser as well as $25,000 cash grants for households in riverine and hinterland communities.
Support is being provided to these two groups, since they have been severely affected by the cost-of-living increases which resulted from the global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia war.
Meanwhile, the Vice President has said that once farmers can provide proof of their losses, Government is willing to further assist with the purchase of seed paddy, among other interventions.
Dr. Jagdeo also addressed several other concerns raised by farmers at the meeting.