PPP condemns hike in rental, drainage fees for Region 5 farmers

….calls on Govt to withdraw increases

The Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has strongly condemned what it describes as an “ongoing assault” against rice farmers, particularly those in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), and calls on the coalition Administration to immediately scrap the increase in land rents and drainage charges.
The Party said Government should also withdraw the notices sent forthwith, especially since it “destroyed” the lucrative Venezuelan market for rice in just a few months after assuming office and has since been unable to find a suitable substitute.
According to the Opposition, the coalition then imposed Value Added Tax (VAT) on agricultural equipment, accessories and various items needed for the rice industry that were all VAT free under the PPP/Civic Administration.
The Party went on to point out that President David Granger has revoked over 50 agricultural leases issued by the PPP/C Government to rice farmers in the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary/Agriculture Developmental Authority Scheme (MMA/ADA), without affording these farmers a hearing and for no apparent reason, other than that these leases were granted by the PPP/C Government.
“We represented these farmers in the High Court, which ruled that the President revocation of these leases was unlawful and unconstitutional. Not content with the destruction that they have done so far, the MMA/ADA, upon instructions of this Government, increased land rents from $1000 per acre to $7000 per acre and drainage and irrigation charges from $2500 to $8000,” the Party said in a statement on Wednesday.
The missive further stated that a few days ago, the MMA/ADA issued hundreds of notices to rice farmers informing them that unless they pay these exorbitant increases in land rents and drainage charges, legal proceedings would be instituted against them.
Many rice farmers say that were they to pay these new charges, they would have to stop cultivating because they simply cannot afford to sustain such high increase in expenditure at this point in time, the Party said.
“Rather than assist the rice industry, as we have demanded the Government to do, they are driving more nails into the coffin of the industry. To now threaten the rice farmers with litigation is simply callous and unconscionable,” the Opposition said.
The PPP declared that it resolutely stands by rice farmers on this issue and would even defend them in the courts, if necessary.