CITIZENS and media alike praise a leader who endeavours to unify a country, raise the quality of life and fight poverty and to improve a nation as a whole. I have had the honour and privilege on several occasions to meet and talk with the great rice magnate, Mr. Kayman Sankar and I was always moved and deeply touched by the sincere way in which he expressed his beliefs and support for the ordinary rice farmers.The rice farmers and millers suffered a great loss when one of its own, Mr. Kayman Sankar died after a prolonged illness. The 87-year-old rice producer, who was also a member of the Essequibo Cricket Board, was a stalwart who championed the causes of farmers. He was well known both locally and internationally. He fearlessly represented his country and the millers and farmers at countless meetings overseas. He was indeed a true patriot to his country and to Essequibians.
The late rice miller had a sound knowledge of the rice sector in Guyana, especially in milling and marketing. He had used his wealth of experience to lobby for improved prices and conditions for poor rice farmers.
This country boy, who is well known as belonging to farming community, was a grassroots man. He had his own style in dealing with farmers’ problems. One of his visions for the rice industry of Guyana was to increase the income and quality of seed paddy of the small rice farmers before he fell ill, which would have resulted in an improved quality of life.
One approach he took to ensure this was to encourage small rice farmers to set drying floors and seed paddy plots, which would make them independent and hence result in competition in the free-market system. This subsequently resulted in an increase in price offered by millers for their paddy. Mr Kayman Sankar has always worked assiduously at his farmers’ conferences to have unity among farmers and millers, since he believed that this was one way forward. Recognising the many challenges facing the rice farmers he continued his unstinting efforts to help to address the areas where proper management, strategic interventions, and efficient husbandry can prevail over the various anomalies within the rice industry.
Essequibo and the country – the agricultural sector in particular – have suffered a great loss by his passing. He will be remembered by all as a fighter, all the way, in the interest of agriculture, especially the rice industry and the rice millers and farmers.
Written By MOHAMED