PPP reaches out to rice farmers in Region 2

…promises to lobby on their behalf

By Indrawattie Natram

As the rice industry continues to deteriorate, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo during a special meeting with rice farmers in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Tuesday evening said that from all indications the David Granger-led Administration has nothing for them.

He was at the time addressing the petrified farmers at the Rice Producers Association (RPA) Seed Paddy Complex, Anna Regina as part of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Region Two outreach programme. Jagdeo, accompanied by former Housing Minister Irfaan Ali and former Attorney General Anil Nandlall are expected to address 42 meetings along the Essequibo Coast during the outreach.

At the meeting, rice farmers complained bitterly about the hardships they are now facing as a result of the deteriorating rice industry. The farmers also explained to the Opposition Leader that they were fearful for their future, as rice was the ‘backbone’ of the Region Two economy. The farmers further explained that now that the rice crop was over, they were very disappointed and dissatisfied with the prices they received, pointing out that some have not even cleared their expenses. The frustrated rice farmers lamented their lack of financing to restart the next crop, adding that they were heavily indebted to local banking institutions.

The farmers explained that they were so indebted that a large number of them have decided to abandon their rice lands for now. They admitted that they believed the promises that were highlighted to them by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) during the elections campaign but were now realising that they were “lied to”.

Jagdeo, in his address to the large gathering, said that the PPP/C was ready to support any effort to get back the Venezuelan rice contract, but could only do so once the “Government of Guyana focuses on strengthening the bilateral arrangements with the neighbouring countries as oppose to sabotaging the relationship”.

He added that based on the many meetings he has had along the Essequibo Coast over the past two days many rice farmers were disgusted with the state of affairs in the industry.

Subsidies

Jagdeo optimistically told the farmers that during his tenure as Opposition Leader, he would advocate in Parliament for the present Government to pay more attention to farmers by moving a motion for subsidy for them to pursue more markets for rice, assist farmers with production costs and provide assistance in the form of seed paddy and fertilisers.

He said that the PPP/C has recognised the plight of rice farmers and could see that both the rice and sugar industries have changed from being “optimistic to negative”, noting that most of the sectors were “flat lining and investors lack confidence in the country’s economy after the elections”.

The former President said that the Venezuelan market was a lucrative one.

The Leader further explained that during the post-election period, the Venezuelan border came up and the PPP/C took the position to always protect the territorial area.

“Even though we had issues with our borders under our ruling, we make it clear that we are not going to compromise, we fix a strong position, we ensure that the border controversy between Suriname and Venezuela does not affect something that is vital functional and economical,” Jagdeo asserted.

Influence

Rice farmers during the meeting requested that Jagdeo use his influence to get back the Venezuelan contract. They are also calling for the removal of all taxes on fuel and agricultural machines and requested assistance in the form of fertiliser and seed paddy.

Meanwhile, RPA General Secretary Dharamkumar Seeraj told the farmers that he wrote the Agriculture Minister on a number of issues regarding the rice industry. These included the issue of the removal of all taxes and duty on inputs such as chemicals, the establishment of a minimum export price for paddy and rice, reduction of the export commission and full recognition of the RPA, especially by Rice Board officials.

Earlier this month, Venezuela officially terminated Guyana’s PetroCaribe deal to see the exchange of fuel and rice at “favourable prices”, as the Spanish-speaking nation teamed up with Suriname to pursue a similar agreement.