I have noted the vigour with which the Guyana Rice Producer’s Association (RPA) and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) have been moving to resolve disputes as they relate to farmers payment for paddy.

According to the Guyana Rice Producer’s Association the organisation has taken legal action against a paddy agent, who owes more than $6 million to some 26 farmers from Wakenaam for paddy he purchased from them since last December. All those who have struggled consistently for the Rice Factories Act and its amendment to protect the rice farmers must certainly now feel a great sense of satisfaction that finally their matters can be addressed in the court and representation from their organisations.

In fact conditions are now developing under the Rice Factories Act which positions of the RPA and GRDB can evolve from consensus without the pressure to defend the farmers. Clearly, the fresh democratic wind which is blowing through our country is having a liberating impact on the rice industry. The RPA through consistent struggle and militant actions by Dharamkumar Seeraj were able to move production to a higher level in the industry. As the industry’s ability to pay continues the organisation is pressing ahead for a better price for farmers.

This was indeed the situation confronting the industry some eighteen years ago, I can remember a vivid case with a rice miller at Vilvooden on the Essequibo Coast owing rice farmers millions of dollars since the miller lacks the means to make prompt payment and adequate compensation, it had no method available for repossessing and the farmers did not received their money. While the Minister of Agriculture have amended that clause to break the economic shackles of the past, it is necessary to go on to completion of the whole process by stating explicitly in the Rice Factories Act itself that farmers is not intended to be ever again used as an instrument of exploitation of rice millers.
MOHAMED KHAN
Former RPA Extension Officer