APNU/AFC functioned better in Opposition – rice farmers tells Agri Minister

Scores of rice farmers in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) have vented their frustrations, as well as opinions on Government’s approach towards the rice industry. Many of them said that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government, since assuming Office, has not plugged in the kind of support that is really needed in the Industry for its sustenance.

At a public meeting held in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) at Anna Regina on Friday, rice farmers in presence of the Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, said that the Government served better as the opposition. Many of them were disappointed and dissatisfied at Government’s intervention towards the industry.

Spokesperson for rice farmers and Government, Councillor Naithram, said, “Meeting after meeting and nothing is being done, if I didn’t persist for Minister to visit then he would have never visited.” Naithram said that there need to be a collective and integrated approach in helping to boost the industry. He argued that too often rice farmers are ripped-off by millers and little or nothing is being done from the rice stakeholders’ level to represent farmers’ interest. As such he called for a review of the rice factory act and for a fined to be levied against default millers.

He said that the Rice Factory Act stipulates that a farmer should be paid within 42 days after his transaction with the miller. He continued to argue that rice farmers are owed up to two years and millers are benefiting.

“We need to review the Act, there need to be consultations, those millers who cannot honour 42 days as mentioned in the ACT should be fined $10 million dollars.”

Naithram said he believes that the success of the rice industry depends on solid partnership from major rice stakeholders, as well as positive investment from the Government’s side. He also told the Minister and his team that the state of the Region Two economy is frustrating and many persons who voted for the present Government are losing confidence.

Low confidence in Govt

Naithram also warned the subject Minister that if the Government does not step up and invest wisely in the industry, then the 4000 votes that came from Essequibo will be lost.

“A lot of rice farmers voted for the Government, they wanted change in the rice industry and to date things are hard if this continue then 2020 elections will be different,” Naithram said.

Another rice farmer from Reliance said that promises were made to Region Two rice farmers for better prices and to date prices are less, “when the Government were in opposition they did a better job, they spoke out for rice farmers, but now what is happening the industry is declining and rice farmers are suffering.”

During the meeting, rice farmers were tense, as many of them were clueless what will be the price for paddy in the new crop.

In responding to the farmers’ plight, Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, said that instead of Naithram complaining, the Government has put him on to several boards for him to voice his concerns. He questioned Naithram why is he not representing the rice farmers and why the blames are on the Government. He also said that rice is a private partnership between the miller, the purchaser and the rice farmer; the seller.

Holder said that he will take a look at how the Act could be reviewed and called on rice farmers to take millers to court. He also asked them to report non-payments and if rice farmers agree to take millers to court, then he can speak with Legal Affairs Minister to have special Judges and Magistrate’s venture to the region to listen to the matters.

Holder said that the Ministry is doing all it can for rice farmers, but Association, as well as other rice stakeholders such as the Guyana Rice Producers Association need to also give proper representation.

Rice farmers at the end of the meeting also requested for the Minister to visit every two months as harvesting period is just two months from now.