FARMERS in Region Two are gearing up for harvesting as the autumn crop draws near without being paid for their spring crop paddy. It is a relatively big crop considering that all 32,500 acres were sown having a projected yield of one million bags of paddy and with such a high crop, signs are pointing in the direction of increased competition for farmer’s paddy and a resultant increase in price, though this may be big. Rice farmers are on course to surpass last crop’s yield for local production, as well as export to Venezuela, but payment continues to be the biggest problem.
The biggest parboiled rice market within CARICOM, Trinidad and Tobago, has imported a substantial quantity from Guyana for the year so far, and this can be attributed to the continued importation of good quality rice with an estimated market of 40,000 MT.
The area most affected with post dated cheque and no cheques are the Golden Fleece Rice Mills and the Essequibo Farmers’ Group.
The Guyana Government is moving to provide farmers with assistance in obtaining their money before the next crop.
Over the past year, there has been a general decline of prompt payment by Rice Millers throughout the country for farmers produce. This trend, which was non-uniform, has had more serious consequences for some small rice farmers than others. The implications for the farmers can be quite serious indeed. For example, farmers depend on the input of suppliers and banks to provide them with the necessary agro – inputs and working capital to produce paddy which will be processed by millers into palatable and edible form for consumers, both locally and externally.
Considering the critical nature of the current situation, it will be necessary for government to protect the interest of the farmers. This could be expedited and supported by monitoring how farmers’ payment is released into the banks thereby empowering farmers with crucial information for decision-making.
The need for constructive dialogue among millers, government and farmers, at this time, cannot be over emphasised. The rice industry is more important to the government, farmers and the country as a whole. It is more than a staple for us, and it has become a way of life for farmers in terms of food, employment, foreign exchange for government earnings and economic growth. The government cannot at this point in time, falter and allow the farmers to be exploited by some unscrupulous millers.