Dear Editor,
I have been a rice farmer for the past 56 years. I am 75 years old and still produce quality seedlings for the Rice Producers Association. I manage my field with the greatest of care and vigilance. I regularly attend workshops and seminars and make visits to the research station when invited to do so. I also assemble at farm school infrequently. I do represent rice farmers under the banner of the RPA very successfully.
I mention the above especially to let the nation know that amongst my fellow rice farmers I am seen as a rounded farming colleague. I do know almost all it takes to be a very knowledgeable rice farmer. To be in this area one has to have very good retention, the ability to prepare proper documentation and make excellent presentations. When you have these abilities no one can fool you or take you for a ride. I will continue to say that there is dignity in farming, for it is we who feed the world.
Hard-working farmers are duped into believing that they are treated with respect, care and concern, but this is far from the truth. The most disgraceful scenario in the rice industry happened at the beginning and near conclusion of this rice crop.
A great number of rice farmers bought seedlings from two sources: the RPA and direct from the Burma Research Station outlet. We paid exorbitant prices for a bag of seedling paddy only to realize that poor germination was a major problem. In some cases there was no germination at all. This nearly put the rice industry in great danger. The financial loss for the poor farmer was enormous, as the whole process had to begin all over again.
For many years I have been producing seedlings for the RPA. This crop has been the worst in terms of seedling preparation. The ‘basic seedling’ was of very poor standard. I say standard and not quality, because contamination was evident at the inspection of seedling plots where there were three and four different ‘off types.’ These were varieties we had never planted before. This is an amazing transgression by an institution which is supposed to serve at a very high standard. Who will correct the wrong that is being perpetrated here when there are those at this very important institution who have connections of one kind or another? There you have one big happy family driving merrily in 4x4s.
The decision-making policies of the Burma Research Station are undermined by a political rearguard, whose influence is subtle and may be unnoticeable. Some poorly trained extension officers are presently operating in the various rice-farming communities and they have been of concern to all rice farmers. Their skills in the field and poor technological advice often leave the farmers confused about the way forward. One such person was sent to China for intensive training, but when he returned he could not put into practice what he had learnt about rice-production technologies.
Finally, a word of advice to the Minister of Agriculture from all us. If he does not effectively manage his portfolio in relation to research, we will all suffer seriously. He has to put his foot down and investigate the Burma Research Station. We will come in large numbers to his ministry’s doorstep, in order to engage your personal attention.
Yours faithfully,
Ganga Persaud
Editor’s note
We are sending a copy of this letter to Minister of Agriculture, Dr Leslie Ramsammy for any comment he might like to make.