President Irfaan Ali on Friday assured flood affected rice farmers of Region Two that government is working to help them get back on their feet by providing them with seed paddy.
During a meeting with farmers, held at the Rice Producers’ Association (RPA) office at Anna Regina, many farmers complained of not being able to go back to their fields and they requested assistance.
In response, Ali said that he will be working on a policy to assist rice farmers with seed paddy. He said that a bag of seed paddy would be given per acre but not more than 50 bags per farmer.
However, the farmers indicated they wanted cash. Ali told them that he could not give cash but added that he could ensure that assistance is given to bring relief.
Farmers then told the president that they had received seed paddy from the Ministry of Agriculture/ Guyana Rice Development Board through the RPA and it was not germinating. Upon hearing this, he said that the matter will be addressed to ensure that the seed paddy that will be purchased will be of quality.
Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, who was present at the meeting, told the gathering that Ali has approved $160 million in seed paddy for flood-affected farmers. He said that not all those farmers that were flooded reached the criteria to received cash relief but they would receive seed paddy.
In relation to the price of fertiliser, Ali said efforts are being made to source fertiliser at a cheaper cost from another country.
Ali reminded the gathering that the price for fertiliser has increased on the international market.
Ali also said that he had a negotiation with a private miller in the Region to further reduce the cost of fertiliser. As a result, he said that the miller agreed to drop the fertiliser price of fertilizer by $100.
‘Improved Extension services’
Mustapha told rice farmers that the government has managed to reduce the price of fertiliser and urea by 10 and 18 per cent, respectively.
“You will see our government’s commitment in the agriculture sector. We are making serious and increased investments in the agriculture sector,” Mustapha said.
He also said the region had recently received bug sprayers which would help to eradicate paddy bug infestations. He also mentioned that there has been a reform of the extension services in the region and more persons were hired to extend the services and conduct field visits.
The rice farmers explained that the cash would help them go back in the fields but a majority said that they would also welcome the seed paddy initiative President Ali informed them about.
