President Dr Irfaan Ali is expected to meet with farmers of Bush Lot, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) today.
This visit comes on the heels of concerns emanating from the agriculture industry, specifically the rice sector, amid the inflation of prices for supplies and fertilisers. Millers also reduced the price paid per tonnage.
Earlier this month, scores of rice farmers from Black Bush Polder, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), took to the streets in protest over an apparent decision taken by millers to decrease the amount they pay per tonne of rice.
President Dr Irfaan Ali
They had said that for the current crop, their expenses were much higher than previously, with the cost for manure, fertiliser, labour and land preparation all being increased. The price to rent land has moved upwards also. For 15 acres – which the farmers refer to as a plot of land – rent moved from $300,000 to $500,000. At that time, they were calling on governmental intervention.
One day later, farmers on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), staged a picketing exercise at the Anna Regina High Bridge, calling for better prices for their paddy.
During the protest, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall spoke with the rice farmers, assuring them that the Agriculture Minister would visit the region to address the concerns of the farmers.
He added that the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Agriculture would do everything in its capacity to reduce the cost of production in the rice industry. Meanwhile, the farmers had told this publication that they would continue to protest until they receive a better price for a bag of paddy.
Last November, President Ali met with rice millers from across the country to discuss financial challenges as well as other issues currently plaguing the industry. The meeting was held at State House and saw millers from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) being engaged by the Head of State.
President Ali has been promoting Guyana’s agricultural potential at the regional and global levels, and has even described food production and agriculture as the country’s sustainable future.
Prior to this, President Ali had revealed that at the international level, his Government did not intend to sit down and wait for the situation to correct itself. Referencing the rising cost of fertilisers, the President said that for weeks, discussions were held with many bilateral partners to remedy this.
While pointing out that Government has no control over import prices, Minister Zulfikar Mustapha had said that last month, working together, Government and farmers can reduce the price consumers pay for locally grown food.
Mustapha had explained that two factors have resulted in rising food prices: global warming, and the COVID-19 pandemic. He had also said that the impact of global warming has seen increased rainfall, and in Guyana, there was a countrywide flood last year that severely crippled the agriculture sector.
