By Stabroek News

Copyright stabroeknews

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha has pushed back against the recent suggestion by former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan that smaller farmers should exit rice production, describing it as “not only reckless but also reveals a deep disregard for the thousands of families who depend on this vital industry,” a Ministry of Agriculture release stated yesterday.

In a release responding to Jordan’s statements, the Minister sought to remind both Jordan and the public of the Coalition government’s record on rice between 2015 and 2020, when rice farmers faced “blatant neglect.” He also reminded that the former President and coalition administration had repeatedly told farmers that “rice is a private business,” leaving them to struggle without meaningful government support.

Mustapha went on to accuse the coalition of inaction regarding the matter of rice shipments to Panama that were not paid for until the PPP/C administration resumed office.

According to the Agriculture Minister, Jordan’s proposal ignores the fact that rice is not only a commercial product but also a cornerstone of Guyana’s rural economy, food security, and national identity, and as such constitutes an abandonment of rice farmers.

The PPP/C Government will not abandon rice farmers, he said. “Instead, it is investing in infrastructure, research, and diversification to ensure that Guyana’s rice industry emerges stronger and more resilient in the face of global challenges. Mr. Jordan and his coalition colleagues had their chance and chose neglect. Today, they stand exposed as opportunists attempting to politicise the very sector they once abandoned,” Mustapha asserted.