Thousands of rice farmers in the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region on Thursday showed up at various locations to uplift vouchers for fertiliser promised by the government.
The registration process had commenced in June at various locations for farmers to get their names on the list after which a verification process was carried by officers of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).
The distribution areas included Good Hope-Fairfield, Vilvorden-Onderneeming, Suddie-La Union, Queenstown-Reliance, Bushlot-Richmond, La Belle Alliance-Windsor Castle, Hampton Court-Elsa, Perth-Better Hope, and La Resource-New Road.
Earlier in May, Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo during his visit to the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region had announced that $275 million worth of fertiliser would be allocated to farmers in Region Two. Jagdeo disclosed that $250 million worth was earmarked for rice farmers, while $25 million worth was for cash crop farmers in the region. This was being done to ease the burden on rice farmers during the production process.
On Thursday, while some farmers expressed satisfaction, others were not pleased with having to join long lines and to wait patiently.
Rice farmers who spoke with Stabroek News said that they would have preferred to receive the actual money which they would have put in the bank. However, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha had earlier made it clear to rice farmers that they will be receiving fertiliser, and not cash.
“Well I had preferred a cheque. I would have put it in the bank and then I would have drawn it when I ready for the next crop. The voucher is here and we only have to go to Hakh Rice Mill to uplift, [but] I done purchase fertilizer for this crop so this voucher have to wait till next crop,” Harry Charran from Golden Fleece related.
Other rice farmers also said they already invested their money in purchasing fertiliser for the current crop at $10,000 per bag.
Some farmers who showed up were asked to visit another location since their names were registered under a different district.
One optimistic farmer, Doolicharran (only name given), said he cultivates 25 acres of rice lands in the Colombia area and was thankful for the fertilizer as it would go a long way to the next crop for him.
The rice farmers were instructed to take their vouchers to Golden Fleece Rice Investment (Hakh Rice Mill) and for the fertiliser.
