By Stabroek News

Copyright stabroeknews

Cane and rice farmers in Skeldon yesterday pressed President Irfaan Ali on issues ranging from unfair grading of their produce, clogged canals in Black Bush Polder, and the need to lower production costs, even as they offered proposals to ease prices for consumers.

Farmers also called for capacity to be put in place for fair testing when their crops are taken to buyers, while pointing to three major canals that have become heavily silted. They urged the establishment of a committee to monitor canal operations. President Ali, who was accompanied by several Cabinet ministers, told the gathering that he will instruct Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha to engage farmers across the country and submit a full report within two weeks. He also announced plans for mapping agricultural lands in every region to better guide cultivation.

The Head of State said that between 8,000 and 12,000 acres of abandoned farmland in Skeldon could be returned to production, with a focus on sugarcane, citrus and coconuts. He said government’s investments in drainage, irrigation and infrastructure must be matched by productivity. “We can’t have people holding on to land while government is making heavy investments in drainage, irrigation and infrastructure. All of this must be tied to production and productivity. That is how we expand business opportunities, create jobs and grow the economy,” the President told the gathering.