Dear Editor,
The rice farmers are blaming the government for the low prices for rice, which I think is wrong. This government has been in office for 6 months, trying to sort out the mess left by the last government and setting up management regimes, etc. For such a short time there is nothing this government could have done, positive or negative, where the effects would have been felt, much less cause low prices for rice. But the farmers and the country are experiencing the effects of the PPP’s 23 years of shameful mismanagement in addition to their mentality. This government needs farmers’ votes for the next election so they will do everything possible to get the best price for rice.
Furthermore, rice is a free enterprise industry where farmers, millers and any group can seek markets for rice.
Prices for rice, sugar and any export, depend largely on the world market, state-of-the-art cultivation, technology, high yields, quality, etc.
There has been no significant change to the world market price for rice from the last crop, but losing the Venezuela market created a glut, hence, the rice/paddy purchasers, lower the prices paid to the farmers.
The farmers should have received the same price as last crop ‒ more than $3000 per bag.
Yours faithfully,
Joe Persaud
Canada
