Dear Editor,

IN the face of increasing financial hardship facing the agriculture sector, the Guyana Rice Producers Association (GRPA) is calling on the Government to immediately lower the taxes on fuel to ease the burden on the productive sector.

Farmers who are currently harvesting have been experiencing an increase in transportation cost from an average of $200 to $800 per bag because of the poor condition of access. Many have been forced to use a combination of poor dams and weed-infested waterways and this increase in fuel prices might very well be the proverbial last straw.

Additionally, most farmers are currently involved in land preparation exercise and sowing of their fields and in the latter case, most fuel is being used compared to the crop duration, so the increase is coming at a really bad time for the farmers.

We are calling on this Government to re-implement the sliding rate on taxes to cushion the impact of international price increases. To do nothing but collect exorbitant taxes will stifle production and affect thousands of lives.

This is certainly not the good life that was promised and the Government’s inaction on this matter is not an option, and we are insisting on an immediate reduction in percentage taxes being collected and we know that the government knows that they can still realise the amount budgeted for with a reduction. We will accept no less.

Regards
Guyana Rice Producers Association