As thousands of Guyanese continue to battle floodwaters throughout the country, rice farmers within the Number 52/74 Neighbourhood Democratic Council on the Corentyne are pleading with the government for financial help since most of them are presently several millions of dollars in debt and are unable to make any payments on their own due to the losses they have suffered.
Further, based on the damage in the backlands which are presently submerged, the farmers estimate that the government would have to spend at least $100 million on repairs once the water recedes.
Traditionally, rice farmers would purchase their machinery, fuel, chemical and other supplies on credit. Usually after the crop is completed and the farmers have harvested, they would repay their loans. However, due to the losses they have suffered as a result of the flooding, which has since been declared a national disaster by President Irfaan Ali, rice farmers are finding it nearly impossible to meet their financial obligations which is causing them a great deal of frustration.
