Dear Editor,

As a rice farmer and Vice President of the Guyana Rice Producers Association, I wish to shed some light in relation to a letter written by Mr Michael Maxwell published by the Tuesday, August 31 edition of Stabroek News regarding Guyana’s first ever access to supply rice and paddy to our western neighbour, Venezuela (‘The rice deal with Venezuela does not involve a money transfer…’).

I would like to state that with the acquisition of the Venezuelan market farmers and millers alike were able to access a lucrative market, rather than depending on traditional markets which are often affected by international factors, sometimes resulting in a steep drop in prices.

Farmers’ greater access to markets allows them to bargain with millers resulting in fair competition and better prices for farmers, without having to wait long periods for payments from some millers. The government accession of the Venezuelan market has certainly provided an alternative for all farmers and millers. Hence, Mr Maxwell has failed in his endeavour to paint a false picture of discrimination and favouritism within the rice sector.

While there are lots more to be done  in the rice sector, I would like to invite Mr Maxwell to come and walk with me to meet with rice farmers in the fields, rather than assuming what is taking place in the sector from behind a desk. Only then could he attest to farmers’ appreciation of government’s effort in securing additional markets for their rice/ paddy some of these farmers depend solely on rice-farming as a means of earning a livelihood. I would also like to formally commend the government, Ministry of Agriculture and other stakeholders on behalf of rice farmers for their efforts to deliver on a commitment to access additional markets for Guyana’s rice.

In closing, I again invite Mr Maxwell to look forward to the bright future ahead for all Guyanese whatever their political persuasion, and not be engaged in propagating seeds of disunity.

Yours faithfully,
Brentnol Maynar
Vice President
Guyana Rice Producers Association