Dear Editor,
Harvesting of the present rice crop has commenced in Region 2, where farmers are making full use of the sunny weather, although harvesting has not yet commenced in the central parts of Essequibo Coast.
In the southern section farmers are picketing for better prices for their produce; the best price offered is $2,000. Growing market uncertainties and falling farm prices have now alarmed policymakers in Guyana in relation to the efficiency of the local rice sector, and whether Guyana can effectively compete on the world rice market without preferential treatment. This present crop indicated that many small and medium producers were at least breaking even.
However, some small farmers were not recovering their total costs since they have to pay increased costs for transportation, reaping, pumping of water, etc. Additional exporter expertise will be needed in the long term to develop additional markets for Guyanese rice. The Minister of Agriculture should stop attacking the millers and there should be a concerted effort from all stakeholders to deal with the situation. The millers’ margins are also about break even. ‘United we stand, divided we fall.’ I implore all to work cooperatively as we seek to promote the rice industry. We have tremendous problems in the market place and no one can deny that.
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Khan
