SOWING of the present crop has commenced over two months ago in Region 2, although red rice infestation has somewhat affected last crop yield and grades.
Over the past years, there have been a general increase of the prices for fertilisers and pesticides. Research data, field trials and actual farm use have shown that when properly used, commercial fertilisers can result in significant economic advantage to farmers. In 2008, a task force was set up by the former Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud to tackle the high price of fertilisers and to ensure adequate supplies to the local market and rice farmers.
After the elections the task force disappeared and the farmers were left to fend for themselves, this was despite government slashing taxes and duties on fertilisers. Farmers were recently being asked to pay in excess of $10,000 per bag, more than $3,000 from an agreed price. Agriculture is pursued by farmers at several levels e.g. subsistence, as a hobby, and as a commercial venture. Whatever the level of production, the ultimate goal has always been to maximize the production effort.
This is usually assessed by the yield and costs of production and the physical appearance of the produce. At present the farmers can hardly escape the vagaries of the free market economy in which fertilisers is determined by demand and supply. The government in order to encourage production should introduce subsidies on fertilizers. The rice farmers during this oppressive period were consistently caught in an inescapable net of exploitation by local importers and distributors. While rice farmers are getting low prices for their produce the millers are becoming united in transnational corporations and they do not allow differences to affect their profits. It would therefore be advisable for policy makers of the rice sectors to give special consideration to subsidies on fuel, fertilizers, spares, bags, twine etc. or allow the Guyana Sugar Corporation, which is also a key importer, to play a bigger role in the importation process. The sad reality is that the local importers and distributors is dislocating Guyana’s rice industry rather than injecting new life into the sector, as was the stated intent. In effect, the importers has impoverished farmers and given them a beggar’s status.