By Stabroek News
Copyright stabroeknews
Dear Editor,
During President Ali’s recent tour of rice-growing communities, farmers spoke not with ceremony but with worry. They showed him fields that once symbolised prosperity, now strained under rising costs of fuel, fertiliser, and transport, while paddy prices continue to fall. Many admitted struggling to repay loans, and some feared they could not keep their children in school. Rice farming, for them, is not just a business but a way of life — and that way of life is under threat.
This is not the hardship of a few villages; it is a warning sign for one of Guyana’s most important industries. Without action, fewer acres will be planted, jobs will be lost, and the economy will suffer. Our rice farmers feed the nation and earn foreign exchange, yet their contributions risk being undervalued.
Because of what I witnessed on the visit, I suggest several approaches to support farmers and strengthen the sector. Countries like Thailand and Vietnam have used price-stabilisation funds to protect farmers from sudden market drops. India has expanded markets in Africa and the Middle East to improve returns, while Brazil has invested in value-added processing — parboiled rice, fortified rice, and rice flour — allowing farmers to capture more retail value and create rural jobs.
A “rice-for-households” programme could further help. Instead of one-off cash grants, the government could purchase rice directly from farmers at fair prices and distribute it to households. Similar initiatives abroad, such as Indonesia’s Raskin programme, India’s Public Distribution System, and the Philippines’ KADIWA ng Pangulo initiative, have improved food security while supporting farmers. Such a programme in Guyana would stabilise farm-gate prices, ensure food security, and keep funds circulating in rural communities.
In addition, Guyana could extend a humanitarian commitment by providing rice to Haiti, helping a nation facing food insecurity while also creating a market for Guyanese farmers. This approach would demonstrate regional solidarity and strengthen Guyana’s role as a responsible Caribbean partner.
Finally, the challenges facing rice farmers highlight the need for a standalone Ministry of Commerce. Beyond trade coordination, a dedicated ministry could better advocate for producers, streamline access to export markets, respond to price shocks, and oversee programmes like rice-for-households efficiently.
Taken together, these steps — price stabilisation, market expansion, value-added processing, rice-for-households programmes, a humanitarian commitment to Haiti, and a stronger commerce ministry — could stabilise the industry today and build a more resilient rice sector for tomorrow. Our farmers have shown resilience for generations; it is time for policies that match their effort.
Keith Bernard
