Hundreds of rice farmers gathered yesterday outside of the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary-Agriculture Development Authority (MMA-ADA) at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice, where they protested what they dubbed the “draconian” increases for land rental and drainage and irrigation.
“Mr. President we are poor farmers,” and “No increase until paddy price raise,” were among the messages printed on the placards carried by the farmers.
The protestors comprised persons of all ages, races and genders, who were anxiously awaiting word from the General Manager of the MMA-ADA Aubrey Charles.
One of the farmers, Baldeo Singh, who said he has been farming for all his life, related that the decision to increase the rates did not make any sense at all and will only be bad for the industry. “Every year, we are already getting lower and lower rates on the paddy and now this? These man don’t even think about us for real. The worst part is that no one know it de coming and it just hit us like that,” the man said.
The farmers explained that currently they are paid between $2,200 and $2,600 per bag of paddy. “What about the guys that are renting the land from other people? That mean they rate gonna change drastically and all of that and they operational cost gonna go up,” he said.
Most of the farmers related that the price increase ranges from $3,500 to $15,000 per acre in some areas, while in other areas where they were not required to pay, they will now see a fee of $5,000 and $7,000 attached.
However, according to an ad published last month, the new rates per acre per annum for the Abary/Mahaicony Block would range from $7,000 at most to $2,500. For the Mahaicony/Mahaica block, the new rate per acre would be $5,000, while the Abary/Berbice Block would see $8,000 being the highest rate and $1,000 being the lowest.
After Charles did not meet the farmers, General Secretary of the Rice Producers’ Association (RPA) Dharamkumar Seeraj gathered a delegation of about 15 farmers, who entered the authority’s compound to meet with the General Manager.
After the delegation left, the protesters formed themselves into a line and marched up and down the road, while chanting “Holder must go.” The reference was to Agriculture Minister Noel Holder.
Meanwhile, Seeraj and a delegation, along with several members of the media, made their way in front of Charles’ office. A few minutes after, Seeraj was invited into Charles’ office.
A few minutes later Seeraj emerged from the office and addressed the delegation. He explained that he related to Charles that all of the farmers are of the opinion that the previous rates should remain until consultations are done with the farmers and other respective stakeholders. However, according to Seeraj, Charles related that there was going to be a board meeting on January 27, and he could not say anything else to the hundreds of farmers. The only thing he was in a position to do was to convey their sentiments to the board, Seeraj added.
“He said he cannot meet with us until he gets permission from the board and I can’t hold that against him. He’s an employee here and he has some concerns and I understand his position,” Seeraj indicated.
While Seeraj was relating to the delegation what had occurred, several of the farmers interjected and related that it did not make any sense that the General Manager did not want to meet with them to at least listen to their concerns.
“If he does not reach the delegation, what would he tell the board? Only that a delegation came to reach him? We just want him to just listen to what we have to say and then he would have something to carry to the board,” one of the farmers related. “We come to MMA because MMA is the man where we pool our money for betterment and I think the manager should just come out and he could ask a few question so he could pilot the board,” the man added.
Seeraj then related that the farmers are not seeking any commitments from Charles but are only asking him to convey something to the board and to the government by extension.
The farmers related that they will return to protest on the day of the board meeting to ensure that their position is not misinterpreted. “You are the landlord and we are the tenant. You can’t just wake up and say you’re going to impose this draconian increase, let us talk. We want the rate to remain the way it was and we want a consultation before any move is taken to implement any increase,” Seeraj related.
He further stated that if no action is taken to consider a consultation with the farmers, they will consider abandoning production. “We want it to go to the highest authority, the president, and if he says that he cannot do anything then we will stop farming,” one of the farmers related.
Seeraj further explained that there have not been any increases for about 18 years. “It doesn’t matter if these farmers make profits or not, they have to pay,” he said.
When asked what would be a reasonable increase for the farmers to consider, he explained that they had initially asked for it to be waived since the price of paddy kept falling. He said that, however, the position they are currently taking is that the old price, which has stood for some time, should remain until a proper consultation is done with all the stakeholders.
Seeraj later addressed the crowd of farmers outside the office about the situation, after which they dispersed. Regional Chairman of Region Five Vickchand Ramphal and PPP/C Member of Parliament Anil Nandlall were also present to support the farmers.
