Minister Persaud addresses issues of Windsor Forest residents

By Erika Haag-Tularam

Rice farmers was given the opportunity to voice their concerns as it relates to matters affecting their livelihood, during a farmers’ meeting with Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud on Monday.
            At the session representatives from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), and the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) in attendance, were held at the Windsor Forest Primary school, West Coast Demerara.
              Some of the issues raised were lands for cattle farmers, blockage of the façade at Windsor Forest School, drying facility, access to dams at Blankenburg and dredging of outfall channel at Windsor Forest old pump station.
            Minister Persaud in remarks emphasised the need for more works to be done at the Regional level to have a better chance at enhancing the situations that are currently facing rice farmers.
Recalling the challenges faced during the first crop, as it relates to harvesting of rice, Minister Persaud encourages the farmers to maximize on the limited resources; since the equipment are costly.
“We are monitoring the works that are to be done in the areas. To purchase a bulldozer it would cost us some $44M but because dam maintenance is critical. We are currently looking to buy more,” he said.
            On the issue of more lands for agriculture purposes, the Agriculture Minister said that Government is looking at developing additional lands. This is intended to bring some amount of consistency among rice and livestock farmers.
            Citing the need for more to be done, he said that with the limited resources available the Administration is looking at infrastructure and interventions to effectively deal with the changing weather pattern.
            However, he indicated that notwithstanding the unpredictability of the weather pattern, the Ministry will continue to do all in its power to ensure that farming and other activities are protected.
            In anticipation of a weather pattern that may become more extreme, Government is continuing to invest in infrastructure.
            “We are highly dependent on agriculture which is highly sensitive to weather so everyone has to give their support, because we also have to diversify our economy and look at new sources in terms of economic wealth and opportunities,” he added. 
Rice cultivation
As part of Government’s renewed thrust to modernise the agriculture sector, the issue of market opportunity will be significantly enhanced as farmers move into the second crop.
              He noted that while the country on the international market is considered as price takers; farmers should ensure that all the players in the rice industry support the initiative.
              “As we move into a La Nina situation I urge you to be very alert and mobilized since we will be experiencing above normal rainfall.”
            While speaking on the issue of farmers being owed by the Mahaicony Rice Mill, the Agriculture Minister indicated that the auditing of all records will commence on September 16.
            “We have put the laws in place to protect farmers, but the laws are nothing if they are not used. Those farmers who have outstanding issues we will provide free legal advice as to what is taking place in this regard; since there is no reason why farmers should not be paid,” he stressed.
            The GRDB and the Guyana Rice Producers Association have since been ensuring that laws put in place to govern the rights of rice farmers are adhered to by millers.