Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud told Region Five farmers that their feedback on government interventions in the industry is necessary to identify and address issues vital to its development.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release the minister said farmers must be included in the decision-making process and in the implementation of projects. “Ninety percent of the issues that are often raised by farmers can be resolved; we have proper monitoring and supervision by our farmers,” Persaud said. He said too “The agriculture sector has a disproportionate level of vulnerability; rice in particular, we are exposed to the external market, weather conditions, diseases and man-made problems.”

Over the past few weeks a series of consultations were held with rice farmers to determine the type of assistance needed and find the best mode of utilizing the resources that will be provided to bring some short-term relief, ensuring that some of the existing problems are addressed in a definite manner.

The minister said these consultations and those with the Rice Producers Association and the Guyana Rice Development Board will address weak areas either by providing fertilizer at a reduced cost, constructing more drying facilities or other mechanisms to support the cost of production for the next crop.