Dear Editor,
The plight of the poor and dedicated rice farmers are now in fear and doubt of their future in the rice industry. Lo and behold most of the rice millers are dictating that the price is now between $2,500.00-$2,700.00 per bag, a lamentation and a tragedy for the national circumstances of the rice farmers in Guyana. Last crop with the aid of the executive of Guyana the sum of $300.00 was added to $3,000.00; the prevailing crop is now being harvested where the rice farmers are in doubt whether to leave the crop in the fields to rot or to receive the pittance from the millers to pay their outstanding debts accrued for their inputs into their planting.
Neither the Government nor RPA nor GRDB or civil society have raised their voices to aid the rice farmers in this moment of urgent and grave need despite knowing the cost and sacrifice of rice cultivation. The millers are getting richer and happier while the farmers remain in the fields with the sweat on their brows in the hot sun, working and suffering without aid or assistance to enhance their welfare or increase household income. I thought it fit to bring this matter and issue to the attention of the nation that some citizens may raise their voices for aid and improved resources and finance so that rice farmers may be able to balance their budget at the end of this crop.
These conditions cannot be allowed to prevail at a time when Guyana is actively promoting guaranteed food security. My sympathy goes out to the hardworking rice farmers in excess of 50,000 that dominate the fields, producing 800,000 tons of rice while GuySuCo produce less than 80,000 tons but receives large grants and subsidies in billions from the Government of Guyana.