Georgetown: The Minister of Agriculture has mandated the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) to put together mechanisms to support Farmers in Essequibo and other Regions whose paddy production suffered damage because of paddy bugs and as a consequence millers are offering very low prices for the affected paddies.
The Ministry is offering support to these farmers to assist them in resuming preparation for the second crop of 2013. The Minister of Agriculture will be meeting with a representative group of farmers early in the coming week to discuss the form of support that the Ministry of Agriculture might be able to provide.
According to the Ministry, “we are aware and we have been addressing several challenges faced by millers and farmers during the first crop of 2013. Even with increased production, the first crop of 2013 has brought several challenges. The Ministry of Agriculture, together with the RPA, the GRDB and the Regional Authorities, are working with farmers and millers in addressing these challenges. Some of the challenges are: Slow intake at the rice mills, Availability of combines and trucks, Availability of drying and storage capacity, Damages caused by Insect Pest (Paddy Bug), Prices offered for paddies.
Technical teams have been deployed to assess the challenges and help resolve some of the concerns faced by farmers and millers.
While the challenges are faced by farmers and millers across the country, the problem of insect pest damage is evidently more acute in Essequibo (Region 2). The problem appears to be experienced by a small group of farmers. A technical team consisting of Officers of GRDB, RPA, PTCCB, MoA and the Regional Administration has commenced work in Region 2 to assess the situation and to make recommendations for measures to alleviate the challenges.
The recommendations will be used as the basis for providing support to farmers.
In addition, the Rice Producers’ Association and members of the MoA, GRDB and Regional Administration will be having meetings in Region 2 on Sunday, 21st April, 2012:
Venue: Hampton Court – 10:00hrs, Golden Fleece – 16:00hrs.
“Working together we will overcome these challenges. As we did when we were faced with a shortage of irrigation water earlier in the crop, we urge full cooperation and urge political parties and elements to refrain from making this a political issue.” The Ministry noted.
In this regards, “we are calling on political parties to refrain from scoring political points and to work with the Ministry so that our farmers are provided with all reasonable support.”
The Minister of Agriculture has called both shadow agriculture spokesperson on the opposition side, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine and Mr. Prakash Ramjattan, to update them on the situation in Essequibo and around the country. The Minister of Agriculture would like to express his gratitude to the RPA General Secretary and the Agriculture spokespersons for APNU and the AFC for their support in bringing relief to the present situation.
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