Social ills abound as rice industry challenges in Wakenaam continue

By Shemuel Fanfair

Ever since the cancellation of the Petro-Caribe rice-for-oil deal in 2015, rice farmers have faced steep challenges continuing in the industry.
Before the deal had ended, farmers received premium rates for their paddy, with some earning as much as $9000 per bag. As previously noted, farmers are now coping with decreased rates ranging from $1800 to $2500 per bag of paddy. Apart from the depleted earnings farmers are getting, the time frame in which they could start receiving payment for their crop is being stretched out by millers. This ongoing situation has caused spinoff consequences for many persons whose livelihoods are dependent on the rice industry.

Wakenaam, located at the mouth of the mighty Essequibo River, is an island that is heavily dependent on the rice industry. However, in light of the prevailing challenges, farmers have strived to reduce production costs in an effort to remain in the industry. Meanwhile, others who saw the financial challenges as too burdensome opted to halt rice cultivation altogether and instead focused on cattle rearing and cash crop farming.
This change, however, has had far-reaching impacts as many youths were left to cope with reduced opportunities for employment, as rice farmers sought to downsize their operations. According to reports that this newspaper has received, a number of social issues have been exacerbated by the lack of employment, with a now heavy dependency on drug use among the ill effects. A resident recently disclosed that alcohol and marijuana use continue to plague the social fabric of the once serene rural community.
“One of the major issues we have right now is drug abuse, mainly marijuana and alcohol use. Most of the youngsters abusing the alcohol a lot and we [also] have domestic issues; a lot of married couples are being separated,” the resident who spoke on the condition of anonymity observed.
Another noted that the downscaling of the industry has added to the employment deficit.
“They don’t have much job opportunities on the island. Of recent, there is a slowdown because of the rice industry; you don’t have much people planting. The persons who used to get jobs with the rice industry [was reduced] as people cut their investment, so obviously jobs would cut,” another resident said.
It is thought that more social and counselling programmes are needed on the island. Guyana Times was told that religious groups have begun to craft measures to tackle the issues on the island. To this end, the Belle Plaine Sarah/Friendship Sanatan Dharam Mandir started special Hinduism classes which will include special sessions on dealing with social issues. It was explained that local representatives from the temple will conduct the lectures, while invitations will be extended to other organisations which focus on social activism.
It is, however, believed that additional counselling services should be made available on the island as inhabitants may be reluctant to disclose the issues that affect them to persons with whom they are familiar.
“It’s a small island; everybody knows what’s happening here and in having discussions, people may not want to reveal all their problems; they are not open-minded. We need more support. People don’t want to talk about their problems. [We need] an agency here where people can sit and tell someone their problems,” a youth leader told this publication.
In late 2015 and early 2016, El Niño conditions plagued the country and many Wakenaam farmers suffered many losses as many acres of rice were lost. This was compounded by rice millers taking months to pay farmers for paddy supplied months prior. When this publication visited the island in 2016, residents noted several challenges including rising costs of equipment and spares, a lack of seed paddy and fertiliser subsidies and reduced engagement of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI).