Essequibo rice farmers protest paddy prices Frustrated rice farmers who are being offered between $3,000 and $3,400 for a bag of paddy, vow to continue a protest they began last Friday. They are saying that if no one from the Agriculture Ministry agrees to meet with them and engage in serious talks about the low prices that are currently being offered by millers in Region Two. The drastic price reduction has primarily to do with Guyana’s production which has doubled, while the high price market remains the same. While the Guyana Rice Development Board and its sister company, the Rice Producers’ Association, have no control over the prices that millers are offering, both entities have been meeting with farmers at various locations in Region Two attempting to explain to them the reasons behind the reduction of the rice price. Additionally, the unrest in Venezuela was cited as a seeming concern. A report from RPA has indicated that 100,000 tons of paddy still remain in the system. A senior member of RPA has indicated that efforts are still being pursued by millers to have the paddy sold provided there if the availability of markets. Information has revealed that Venezuela purchases 70 percent of Guyana’s production, while the European Union market and the Caribbean market account for most of the remainder. Jamaica, Haiti and Belize account for a smaller market. Alliance For Change member Naith Ram, has said that the reduced price for rice is a very huge setback, especially for farmers, who are still owed millions of dollars by millers and for those who took loans from the banks to invest in the current spring crop. Ram has reminded that, at hand is a “bread and butter” issue. Many lives are being affected by the current situation. He said that the protest is expected to be taken to Public Buildings if engagements with the relevant authorities are not realised. Rice continues to be sown in large quantity on the Essequibo Coast, where rice is the major economic activity in the Region. Last year, farmers staged a prolonged protest for related issues pertaining to outstanding payments and the infestation of paddy bug.
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 13:40:24 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015