Dear Editor,
While the EPA and the Pesticides Board are fiddling with regard to the granting of approval to do aerial spraying, the rice farmers are now facing the brunt of the assault from widespread paddy bug infestation. The resulting damage to the current rice crop yield is now at an all-time high.
This impending disaster could have been averted to a large extent if the much publicized warnings had been heeded. These warnings were vociferously expressed by Nand Persaud & Company and many large rice farmers and were extensively publicized in the various media, but to no avail. This was towards the end of February, 2016. The cries of the farmers were drowned in a sea of bureaucracy.
Following this, a press conference was held by rice farmers at Nand Persaud & Company’s Conference Hall, on 25th February, 2016 which was attended by more than 25 large rice farmers, and they vehemently objected to the non-approval of permission to do aerial spraying of pesticides by the PTCCB. Again they reiterated the problem of the paddy bug infestation, yet nothing was forthcoming from the authorities who probably saw this as an opportunity to flex their muscles.
Then on 7th March, 2016, Nand Persaud & Company issued a press release which stated the following: “The damage by pests is no longer a matter of conjecture. Some rice farmers are now in the process of harvesting and while only 5% of the current crop has been harvested, there has been severe damage done to the paddy reaped. The damage to paddy now stands at 7.7% which is abnormally high… while the majority of the current crop is in the flowering stage and some now past that stage….”
On 30th March, 2016, the dire situation of the current rice crop was confirmed by Nand Persaud & Company. The numerous warnings were coming home to roost. The average paddy damage has now reached 13.79%, and this is expected to climb as the current crop comes to a close. This is way above the acceptable threshold which is 3.5%. It must be noted that paddy damage above 3.6% is regarded as substandard. This means lower prices. Therefore, as it is, the current average damage at 13.79 % is quite alarming and this is not being dramatic as was said by some people.
Many of the farmers have loans to repay and they owe creditors, and the current rate of paddy damage will result in great losses to these farmers making it impossible for them to liquidate their debts. An interim approval to do aerial spraying of pesticides would not have resulted in the total destruction of our environment and a great loss of human lives, but this disapproval will now sound the death knell for many farmers who are already trying their utmost to combat high costs of production, low yield, poor quality and low prices. This is wilful disregard for people’s lives and livelihoods. Aerial spraying was done up to the last crop which ended in December 2015 and no negative effects were reported. Therefore, while the Environmental Management Plan of Air Services Limited is being bureaucratically and microscopically addressed by the EPA, temporary permission could have been given to save our current rice crop. There are guidelines in place by both ASL and the farmers which are in compliance with the requirements of the PTCCB and the EPA and farmers are using approved pesticides. The minute details of the EMP could have been filled in at a later date.
Unfortunately, this current stance by the EPA and the PTCCB is what is called ‘paralysis by analysis’ and is an epidemic which destroys investment and progress in this country. We need action centered leadership, not people who sit in offices and do not have a clue as to what is happening in real life situations.
It is unfortunate that while the government is arduously seeking markets for our rice, the rice farmers are facing low yields and poor quality. If this situation continues then we can expect many farmers to opt out of rice cultivation in the next crop.
In closing, Nand Persaud & Company is appealing to the banking fraternity to join with them in assisting those farmers who are now facing bankruptcy, since they do not have the capacity or the know-how to get out of their current predicament.
Yours faithfully,
Haseef Yusuf
Public Relations Officer
Nand Persaud & Company
