Rice farmers eagerly await Mexican market
Rice farmers examine paddy stalks in a rice field at Mahaicony
Rice farmers examine paddy stalks in a rice field at Mahaicony

By Ravin Singh
THE rice deal between Guyana and Mexico which is currently being hammered out is one which is eagerly being awaited by farmers who anticipate increased prices and production of their paddy.

Essequibo rice farmer Prem Das speaking to the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday
Essequibo rice farmer Prem Das speaking to the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday

After losing the Venezuela rice market last year, Guyana, through efforts made by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, was able to secure commitments by the Mexican Government to buy some of this country’s rice.
Speaking at a reception to observe Mexico’s 206th Independence Anniversary last week, Mexican Ambassador Medel said relations between Guyana and Mexico continue to be strong, especially in the area of food security. He noted that Mexican officials are working hard to ensure certification is ready in order to begin importation of local paddy.
“The Mexican food inspection authority SENASICA is working jointly with NAREI [Guyana’s National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute] to make sure phytosanitary certification is ready, in order to begin the commercialisation of Guyanese paddy,” Ambassador Medel disclosed.
Mexico, which imports some one million tonnes of rice annually, has since
signalled its intention to fast track a paddy deal with Guyana, even as the prime minister continues to seek other markets for local producers.
Against this backdrop, farmers have expressed their anticipation in accessing these markets which will lead to benefits for them and by extension, Guyana.
One such person is Prem Das, a rice farmer from Essequibo, who explained that when Guyana had the Venezuelan markets, farmers had seen a significant increase in prices and it benefited farmers tremendously. He noted that at one point, they had been able to sell a bag of paddy for $5000 to $5500. After losing the market however, he said that prices dropped, and at this point in time farmers are being offered about $2300 or thereabout for a bag of paddy.
“So of course, any market Guyana is able to access, farmers would more than welcome it, because this means better prices for the paddy and eventually an increase in production. Once farmers can get a market to serve in the long term, they would be more than happy,” the farmer said.
He further explained that at the end of the day, farmers look at the prices they are being offered and once they get a solid market to take this rice, in this case the Mexican market, it means farmers will get better prices than what is being offered now.
Therefore, he said, once good prices are being offered, then most naturally, farmers would be inclined to produce more paddy, since they would be able to make more money on it.
“So it is all about getting more bags of paddy per acre of land at good prices,” he added.
Chaitman Jorree, another rice farmer from Mahaicony, expressed his desire to see Guyana sending rice to Mexico.
“I feel very good about this not just for me, but for other farmers because I know what they have been going through. The rice industry has been facing many challenges and for us to be able to access any market at this point in time would be great for the farmers,” he said.
Jorree said presently he is selling a bag of paddy for almost $3000, but that it was higher than this in previous years. And he believes that once an agreement has been reached between the two countries, prices are likely to go up, which will have direct and indirect benefits for all.
The farmer revealed too that after prices had dropped, he reduced the amount of rice he was producing and used the land for cattle-farming. And with an impending agreement, he said that not only him, but other farmers are likely to use these lands which were converted into pastures, to replant rice.

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