Kayman Sankar’s passing is a great loss to the rice industry

Dear Editor,

Citizens and media alike praise a leader who endeavours to unify a country, raise the quality of life and fight poverty. I had the honour and privilege on several occasions to meet and talk with rice magnate Mr Kayman Sankar. I was always moved and deeply touched by the sincere way in which he expressed his belief in the ordinary rice farmer.

The rice farmers and millers suffered a great loss when rice magnate Mr Kayman Sankar died after a prolonged illness. The 87-year-old rice miller was also a member of the Essequibo Cricket Board and was a stalwart who championed the cause of farmers. He was well known both locally and internationally. He fearlessly represented his country as well as the millers and farmers at countless meetings overseas. He was indeed a true patriot.

The late rice miller had a sound knowledge of the rice sector, especially milling and marketing. He used his wealth of experience to lobby for improved prices and conditions for poor rice farmers. This country boy belonged to a farming community and was a grass roots man. He had his own style in dealing with farmers’ problems. Before he fell ill, one of his visions for the rice industry was to improve the quality of seed paddy of the small rice farmers which would have resulted in an improved quality of life for them.

One approach he took was to encourage small rice farmers to set drying floors and seed paddy plots which would make them independent and result in competition in the free market system. This subsequently resulted in an increase in the price offered by millers for their paddy. The late Mr Sankar always worked assiduously at farmers’ conferences to have unity among farmers and millers, since he believed that this was one way forward. Recognizing the many challenges facing the rice farmers he continued his unstinting efforts to help address the areas where proper management, strategic intervention and efficient husbandry could prevail over the various anomalies within the industry.

Essequibo, the country and the agricultural sector in particular suffered a great loss by his passing. Mr Sankar will be remembered by all as a fighter all the way in the interest of agriculture, especially the rice industry, and on behalf of the rice millers.

 

Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Khan