Region 2 rice farmers protest high price for fertiliser

Scores of rice farmers on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) staged another picketing exercise at the Anna Regina Old Market on Friday last, once again calling for the Agriculture Ministry to intervene with the aim of lowering the price of fertiliser.

The farmers called on Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha to find solutions since they are being severely affected.
One solution the farmers highlighted was for the Government to transport fertilisers to the region or sell them to the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) so that farmers can get them at a cheaper rate.
“The situation concerning high prices where we are paying $9500 for a bag of fertilisers is a very serious; one because our livelihood will at stake when we do not receive a satisfying amount of money for a bag of paddy,” one farmer told Guyana Times.
Meanwhile, during a recent statutory meeting held at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) boardroom two Wednesdays ago, Regional Vice Chairman Humace Oodit noted that scores of rice farmers staged their first protest over the increased prices for fertiliser.
He added that they complained several times to him about the issue and as such, he raised their concerns with the subject Minister.
“When contact was made to Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, he immediately decided that the retail price for TSP fertiliser will be reduced from $9500 to $8200 per bag,” Oodit explained.
The VC added that he is aware that the present stock in the market is old, and as such a negotiable process is currently ongoing with the Ministry and private millers.
However, the Minister was slated to visit the region on Tuesday to meet with rice farmers.a