Rice farmers in Black Bush Polder, Corentyne yesterday took to the streets to voice their frustration at the current reduced prices being given to them by millers for their paddy which they said are expected to take them into losses, however, millers are contending that due to the effects of the world market prices, the reduction is necessary.
Stabroek News learnt that several weeks ago, the rice farmers were told they would be given $70,000 per metric ton of paddy. However, on Monday they were informed that they would now be given $65,000 per metric ton – a price which is expected to further decrease later in the week.
Stabroek News has been reliably informed that while Region Six is being given $4,250 per bag, Region Two is receiving $3,200 per bag.
As such, farmers in both Lesbeholden and Johanna, Black Bush Polder held two separate protests yesterday morning to voice their concerns. At Les-beholden, farmers placed a trailer across the main access road blocking traffic into the polders for several hours, while in Johanna, farmers held placards along the roadway calling for government’s intervention.
The reduced prices, they said, were unacceptable since after they deduct their expenses, they would be left with either a tiny profit or no profit at all.
One rice farmer from Johanna, Black Bush Polder, yesterday relayed to Stabroek News that he is extremely frustrated at the situation, “I don’t know what we gonna do because this will be a heavy blow for us, this can’t work out.”
According to that farmer, they are also faced with an increase in spare parts, fertilizer, chemicals and even the cost of hiring workmen, “We living by guess, we na know what price we going to get and da we just got to take.”
Another farmer noted that he too is unsure of what will transpire. “I suppose to cut rice today and I put it off to tomorrow because I don’t know what gonna happen. I feel them should give we the price for next crop one time then so let we decide if we go able plant back, na when we plant is same thing and we na making nothing.”
Meanwhile, this newspaper was told that Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, was in contact with the farmers yesterday and had reportedly held a meeting with rice millers as well. Further, the private sector is also expected to meet with rice millers today.
Lekha Rambrich, who is both a rice farmer and miller, explained that it’s a tricky situation as the rice farmers believe that the millers are attempting to rob them, but the millers are also faced with heavy challenges.
Last crop rice farmers were given $70,000 per ton, however Rambrich pointed out that with the amount of paddy in the system and field, mostly parboiled rice will not work as in the last crop.
In January, 2022, rice millers had met with President Irfaan Ali where they raised issues such as increased freight, transportation and labour costs, along with a congested wharf and the unavailability of containers.
However, Rambrich yesterday advised that rice farmers in Region Six need to take a serious look at reducing their cost of production which is extremely high right now.
One factor he noted was that of land rental as he suggested that farmers need to “curtail all this unnecessary spending, paying higher rent for land… the price is dropping they will find themselves in difficulty.”
According to Rambrich, especially in the Black Bush Polder area, the cost of land rental is extremely high.
He urged farmers to think positively and give consideration to the fact that due to the situation between Russia and Ukraine, the cost of fertilizer will increase further.
Airstrip
Meanwhile, farmers yesterday also complained to Stabroek News that the cost of hiring workmen is high. Rambrich suggested that if an airstrip was in play then farmers could use the airstrip, reduce the spraying workload and ultimately lower the cost of production.
In July, 2021, Stabroek News reported that Corentyne farmers had signalled their support for the operation of the Nand Persaud and Com-pany Limited airstrip which is located in Number 36 Village, Corentyne during a consultation which was held then.
However, Rambrich yesterday noted that the last they heard was that the airstrip proposal was sent to cabinet for approval after the consultation.
Rambrich, who also serves as president of the Rice Pro-ducers Association, stressed that “Government needs to come in and help mechanise the industry if it is to go forward.”
He noted that rice farmers are still using some ancient methods and such are in need of mechanisation to reduce their cost of production.
