To aid farmers…
THE Government, through the Regional Administration in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), the Rice Producers Association (RPA) and Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), commissioned a $15.5M drying floor at Walton Hall, Essequibo Coast, yesterday. Minister of Agriculture, Mr, Robert Persaud, who officiated at the commissioning by throwing out paddy from a 100-pound bag onto the concrete structure, urged farmers to make full use of it.
He said the newly constructed facility was funded from the $400M assistance package President Bharrat Jagdeo promised farmers in light of low prices for their paddy at the previous harvest.
According to Persaud, 12 such facilities will be built in rice growing areas countrywide and Region Two will get another two.
He said the 13,000 square feet space will be owned and operated by the farmers through the RPA.
Touching on drainage and irrigation (D&I), Persaud said the Government continues to support farmers in that area and, with the challenges of El Nino, the Region Two Administration will continue to look for ways to supply water to hundreds of acres in fields under cultivation.
Region Two Chairman, Mr. Alli Baksh acknowledged that the floor will assist farmers to dry their own paddy and get better prices.
Baksh said 300 bags can be dried at a time for the benefit farmers at Walton Hall, Devonshire Castle and Paradise villages, where 2,600 acres are being cultivated each crop.
He said construction on a similar project is expected to start shortly at Anna Regina.
Also present at the ceremony were RPA General Secretary, Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj; General Manager, Mr. Jagnarine Singh and GRDB field officers; Vice- Chairman of Region Two, Mr. Vishnu Samaroo and Regional  Agriculture Officer, Mr. Charles Spellen.
Chairman of Devonshire Castle-Walton Hall Land Co-op Society, Mr. Lackhan Lall expressed thanks to President Bharrat Jagdeo for setting aside funds for the dryer and admitted that  farmers will benefit tremendously, as it would help them dry and store their produce, so they can demand better prices from millers.
Another farmer, Pandit Persaud of Affiance, added his thanks to the Government and President Jagdeo.
The floor was built by contractor, Mr. M. S. Singh, from East Coast Demerara.