Dear Editor,
Even at some dark moments in its history (such as the suspension of the constitution in 1953; electoral frauds in the 20th century; the notorious Jonestown murder-suicide tragedy; and the periodic expression of ethnic violence; those have all failed to exude enough force to blunt the irresistible natural beauty with which Guyana is blessed.
Guyana is the land of the mighty Roraima; the expansive Essequibo River; the mythical city of gold called Manoa Del Dorado; the stupendous Kaieteur Waterfalls; the pristine
forests; and the abundance of other natural resources (gold, manganese, bauxite, and fresh water). Not to mention that Guyana began to produce crude oil in late 2019. With the endowment of these natural resources, how could anyone, particularly any Guyanese, not embrace these magnificent gifts of nature?
It was an immense pleasure for us, therefore, to have recently visited Guyana to enjoy this fascinating environment and lend a touch of beauty by helping to add some sunshine into the lives of some needy people. We conducted a charity project there in honor of my wife who passed away one year ago. With the support of my brother, his wife, and a few friends we have been able to provide relief to 50 extremely poor families at 4 locations on West Coast Demerara, 1 location on East Coast Demerara and 1 location in Black Bush Polder.
While distributing the food hampers to the recipients at their homes, we also took the opportunity to engage groups of residents on the political and social situation in Guyana within the context of the need to preserve the integrity of the country’s natural resources and the need for peace and understanding. One incident had struck us. It was the blocking of the main road at Black Bush Polder (BBP) by residents who were protesting unsatisfactory paddy price and other issues like the state of the main and feeder roads (farm to market). When we were there at BBP, work was ongoing on the roads while the drainage canals and drains were clean of weeds and other impediments which means that the risk of flooding has been considerably reduced.
That roadblock incident drew the immediate attention the Minister of Agriculture Hon Zulfikar Mustapha who met quickly with farmers at Mibikuri Community Center (BBP) and allayed their grievance by promising them that they would receive no less than $4000 per bag of paddy. Earlier, Minister Mustapha and President Dr Irfaan Ali met with rice millers who agreed to pay a minimum of $4000 per bag of paddy. We note that on the following day, Minister Mustapha, along with Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, addressed Essequibo farmers’ grievance over paddy pricing and other issues.
The prompt government’s jhhjhresponse must be viewed within the context of the wider role that agriculture has been playing in the social and heconomic transformation of Guyana (e.g., in 2024, Guyana achieved the highest ever rice production in the country’s history). What could not escape us also has been the substantial okautput of vegetables and livestock from BBP.
The Ministry of Agriculture believes that it could attain the revised goal set by “25 by 2030” CARICOM Plan of reducing food imports into member countries by 25% at the end of 2030. To boost rice production and enhance sustainability and to attain the “25% by 2030” goal, the Ministry of Agriculture has granted various incentives (like fertilizers, agriculture tools/implements, duty free agriculture equipment, etc.) to farmers.
Agriculture of which rice production is a key contributor, has been playing a vital role in the social and economic transformation of Guyana (in 2024, for example, rice production was 725,282 metric tonnes; the highest ever in the country’s history).
Agriculture Minister Mustapha has expressed his deepest gratitude to the farmers j only at BBP but across the country that have helped to make Guyana’s historic rice production (725,282 MTs) the highest ever in the country’s history. Famers also reciprocate for all the assistance that have been receiving from the government. In farming, there is dignity. We must respect our farmers. And let us protect and embrace all the gifts of nature, including our natural resources!
