The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam) is urging Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder to “meaningfully engage the region in Agriculture development”.
In a statement yesterday, Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt said that the Essequibo Coast region is badly affected by the current state of the rice industry and timely intervention of the Ministry and its various arms is needed.
“The RDC is very concerned about the excessive taxation policy that is already impacting negatively on farmers and residents as the Region’s economy is rapidly sinking”, Ramdatt said.
He disclosed that he wrote Holder seeking a response to several matters raised at a meeting in February earlier this year. A response to these action points from the Ministry is still pending.
Ramdatt said that these matters include: the policy of the Ministry on duty-free concessions to farmers for agricultural machines and equipment and how farmers and fishermen can access same. The region also wants clarification regarding damaged grains as a Specification for Grading of Paddy when sold by farmers to millers.
The Development Plan for the Cozier Farming area is another area for inquiry along with the quest for pasture lands for cattle and dairy production. The region also wants to learn from Holder about future plans to “address the crisis in the rice industry”.
Ramdatt said that residents and the RDC are seeking answers regarding the Aurora Land Development Project; where huge acreages can be put into beneficial use for agricultural purposes. The status of the project which was a priority of the previous administration based on a consultative process remains unclear, the region said.
The statement added that the challenges facing Pomeroon farmers cannot be ignored as Red Palm mites continue to infest and adversely affect coconut production in the Lower Pomeroon. Further, markets for produce such as carambola, plantains, pumpkin etc are lacking and this is affecting the region’s economy.
“The Regional Democratic Council reiterates that Region Two is an agriculture base region; timely and strategic interventions are needed by the Government /Agriculture Ministry to engage all categories of farmers, fishermen and other key stakeholders if sustainable development is to be achieved”, Ramdatt declared.
