By Mohamed Khan

HARVESTING of the current rice crop has commenced in Region Two, and farmers are making full use of the dry and sunny weather. While harvesting has started in the central parts of the Essequibo Coast, the exercise is moving apace in the northern and southern sections.It is reported that farmers are harvesting an average of 45 bags per acre. And with no paddy bug infestation at the moment, farmers are optimistic of a bumper crop.
Some 25,500 acres of rice in the region are expected to be harvested without any difficulty.

In mid-January of this year, 35,500 acres were prepared by plough, but lack of rainfall and irrigation water prevented the rest of acreage from being sown.
It is a relatively small crop, considering that only 25,500 acres were sown; and with such reduced crop, signs are pointing in the direction of increased competition for farmers’ paddy, and later, in the reaping stages, a resultant increase in price may occur. The price can reach $2,300 per bag, compared to the $2000 offered the previous crop.

Though this may be small, the analysis of farmers’ costs of production has indicated that many of them are at least breaking even with their production costs at the going paddy price. However, some farmers would not be recovering their total costs.

Farmers in Region Two have been expanding their paddy production with the assurance of getting a better price for their produce.
Growing uncertainties and falling prices have alarmed farmers. Over the past two crops, there has been a general decline in paddy prices since the Venezuelan market came to an end.

The consequences of these declining prices are already being felt, and farmers have indicated that they are expecting subsidises from the Government and rescheduling of their debts by the commercial banks.

Considering the current situation, it would be necessary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Government to protect the interest of the rice farmers. This could be done through the provision of seed paddy and other agricultural inputs. Farmers depend on their input suppliers and the banks to provide them with the necessary support and working capital to produce paddy.