Dear Editor,
Many may say, ‘Do not compare the past with the present,’ but I will speak as to the APNU+AFC’s five years in office, and about the PPP/C, in office presently for about 20 months.
Editor, during the five years of the former Government (APNU+AFC), the MMA-ADA was almost destroyed and brought down to nothing, all because of the AFC Executive member who was put to head the Agriculture Ministry, one of the most important Ministries in Government here in Guyana.
Agriculture was not only the backbone of our economy then, and even now, but all of Guyana depends on it for survival. It employs tens of thousands, and feeds our nation. Billions and billions of dollars are being poured into this sector by private investors.
Under the APNU+AFC’s term in office, hundreds of farmers almost become crippled in their investment. Why? The then Minister of Agriculture had no vision to enhance the sector, or to do anything to better the work of MMA-ADA.
Many times, calls were made by farmers for assistance, be it in D&I works or for aid in reduction in taxes, rates, and VAT on agri products and machinery, but those calls went answered. The dams and drains within the MMA-ADA Scheme were very badly deteriorated, and MMA-ADA could not have done anything, because there was no equipment available to assist the farmers.
Many times, farmers would request a lowering of their rates and taxes, so that they can take care of the D&I within their farmlands, but nothing was given. Instead, the Minister and his Ministry, along with the APNU+AFC, raised the rates and taxes on the farmers.
Farmers refused to pay the raised rates because MMA was doing nothing to better their drainage canals and dams, because they had no equipment.
The Ministry and Central Government paid no heed to the farmers. Instead, they demanded what they wanted from the farmers. I can go on and on, but, in a nutshell, and we all know – and there is no doubt in this – the entire APNU+AFC Government, and in particular the Agriculture Ministry, failed Guyana and the farmers, who are the ones feeding our nation to survive.
The PPP Government was elected to office about twenty months ago, and MMA-ADA and the farmers within the region are very much pleased and appreciate the many positives done by the Ministry of Agriculture headed by Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, MP, so that they can continue farming.
MMA-ADA is now equipped with several pieces of machinery, to the tune of about Gy$100M. Farmers already see their drainage systems and dams within the scheme being made better. Yes, there will be some who would complain, but all the drains and dams can’t be done at the same time.
Farmers have benefited from free fertilisers and a waive in land fee rental due to the episodes of heavy rainfall that left them to suffer the losses of their crops. Farmers have also benefited from the removal of VAT on agricultural products and machinery. Ministerial visits for the past few months by the Hon. Mustapha outnumber those of the former Minister’s five years in office as the Agriculture Minister.
Officials from MoA are very much more visible in the region, and technical assistance is being given to farmers. Farmers’ concerns are now being addressed in a timelier manner, and MMA-ADA officials can now better function in executing their duties and services to those within the authority. Farmers now feel a sense of expanding and investing more in their farmlands than during the APNU+AFC years in office.
I talk to farmers in this region daily, and they are praising the Government for its input in the sector. Many thank the Minister of Agri for his vision for this sector, and also for ensuring that MMA-ADA is better equipped to serve.
Respectfully,
Abel Seetaram
