HARVESTING of the present rice crop has commenced in Region Two, where farmers are making full use of the sunny weather. For Region Two, while harvesting has not commenced in the northern parts of the Essequibo Coast, the crop is moving apace in the northern and central sections.
It is reported that farmers are harvesting an average of 35 bags per acre and the best prices being offered at the moment is $3, 500 for a bag of paddy at two mills. An analysis of this present crop costs for pumping water into the rice field indicated that many producers would not recover their total costs at the going paddy price of $3,500 per bag. At present the rice industry can hardly escape the vagaries of low pricing and free market economy in which allocation is determined by demand and supply.
The rice farmers were consistently caught in an inescapable net of exploitation by unscrupulous rice millers who are the dominant and authoritative force in the industry. The millers during this period should pay an agreed price of nothing less than $6,500 for a bag of paddy and the future will therefore brightened for the farmers. The Government in order to encourage production for the second crop should introduced subsidies on fuel, fertilisers, seed paddy, chemicals, bags, twines etc. There are many instances where farmers and small producers are exploited by all especially the millers to the extent of extinction and it’s high time that the Government looks into this matter and come to their rescue.
It is therefore important that all stake-holders work together to move the industry forward, as all of Guyana will be hurt if the industry collapse. The farmers must be gainfully compensated for their gallant effort in pumping waters days and sleepless nights to feed this nation and create employment, foreign exchange earnings and economic growth to our country.