Region Three farmers pleased with Gov’t interventions

-say removal of VAT, lower rents will spur productivity

Several rice farmers and millers across Guyana are thrilled with the many interventions made by the PPP/C Government to date, even as the administration advances plans to revitalise the sector.

As promised in its Manifesto and brought to the National Assembly recently, the Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali-led administration has moved to reverse fees for land rent, and restore adequate budgetary support for the maintenance of drainage and irrigation system. The removal of value-added tax (VAT) on machinery, equipment, pesticides and fertilisers is also expected to spur investment.

Farmers plying their trade in the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three) welcome the measures and are anticipating satisfactory outcomes in the future.

Mr. Lakenarine Singh, 68, explained that during the last five years, price for paddy depleted significantly, which put a strain on farmers’ budgets.  He believes that with the intercession of the new administration “things will get back to normal.”

Added to that, he said the land rentals imposed under the previous Government also increased the financial burden on field men.

In the business for 40 years, Mr. Mohamed Fizal Baigysin, of Orangestein, East Bank Essequibo, is also thankful that the authority has opted to reverse fees for lands under cultivation.

“There is one problem all rice farmers are faced with is the price the previous Government took for rental. They raise it and it became very hard for the farmers,” he said.

He opined that when they are no longer obligated to pay these fees “it will benefit the farmers tremendously, because everyone will be able to pay their rates.”

Meanwhile, Vergenoegen farmer, Mr. Abhunauth Bhola, says he is pleased with the provisions made in the 2020 Budget for rice farmers. With 40 years’ experience on the rice field, Mr. Bhola said the measures implemented will assist farmers in “clearing a bigger margin after harvest.”

“We always have to take loans…. Fertilisers expensive, plus there is labour cost and other expenses too. So, with the removal of VAT it will be profitable,” Farmer Bhola disclosed.

Meanwhile, the blatant neglect of the sector by the APNU+AFC Government has caused rice miller and farmer Mr. Jeetlall Ramraj to halt operations at his business

“Business in the last five years was a step down financially and mentally. [The former] Government only promised; everything you asked them to do, nothing was done. Farmers were losing from their pockets,” the businessman told DPI.

Mr. Ramraj is satisfied now that the Agriculture Ministry has started to assist communities and farmers. He said for too long villagers were pleading to have a machine at Goed Fortuin to clear several canals.

The areas identified by Mr. Ramraj have been cleared. “Things that they could not do in five years, this current Administration did it in one day,” the man declared.

From his first day in office, Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha has committed to revamping and bridging the gap between all departments within the ambit of his sector. The Minister has visited several communities across Guyana where agriculture is practiced for a first-hand look and to listen to farmers’ concerns.