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Former Member
Region Two Chairman, technical officers reject AFC misrepresentation

Georgetown, GINA, September 7, 2011
Source - GINA

Region Two Chairman Ali Baksh today rejected claims made by the Alliance for Change (AFC), that farmers of the Region are beset by a number of problems, including irrigation.

He said that despite having a difficult crop due to the prolonged dry period, the region has already positioned itself to reap 100 percent of production, due to interventions which have significantly assisted farmers.

The region, with assistance from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Water Users Associations (WUAs), assisted farmers with fuel and pumping water from the Pomeroon River into the Tapakuma Lake conservancy.

“We have done our best from our side to assist farmers of Region Two. I think some of the statements made are ridiculous and uncalled for and I can assure the public that the majority of farmers would also refute such claims despite the few who have aligned themselves with political parties,” he said.

The Regional Chairman while assuring farmers that assistance will be given to transport produce to mills, said that 85 percent of the rice crop is currently at a reaping stage and as such, the dry period has significantly aided the process.

“I don’t know who are giving this false information to say that it is not possible for farmers to transport their produce to the rice mill. With respect to pricing that’s a question for farmers themselves and millers, the region don’t have anything to do with price negotiations and fixing price for paddy,” he said.

Deputy General Manager, Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Madanlall Ramraj while dismissing the claims with respect to pricing, reminded that at the beginning of every rice crop it is a norm for the GRDB to post international market prices, thus allowing farmers to be aware of pricing.

“All information with regards to pricing is there for farmers to see. Take for instance the Venezuelan market; when we had the increase recently of US $800 per tonne for white rice and $400 per tonnes of paddy it was posted, so how can such claims be made?” he questioned.

At the beginning of the rice crop, several meetings were also held with farmers across the country to discuss assistance for reaping. The Ministry of Agriculture also has a system in place through the GRDB and the Rice Producers Association (RPA), which ensures that farmers are given assistance once needed with agricultural machinery and spare parts.

This has seen farmers benefiting tremendously in this regard.

Measures have also been implemented by Government to ensure that rice farmers are not ripped off by delinquent millers and as such, the Rice Factory Act was amended, incorporating measures which would see millers facing the consequences for late payment.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer, NDIA, Lionel Wordsworth while highlighting interventions made by Government, said that huge investments continue to be made in drainage and irrigation, especially in Region Two which have seen approximately $240M being spent alone for this year.

There are currently two excavators working in the Region at Cozier and on the Coast, to completed D&I works including the rehabilitation of several drains, canals and outfall channels.

Wordsworth said that in preparation for the dry spell a meeting was summoned where the region’s operations were reviewed to determine suitable responses. At the meeting a decision was taken for the WUAs to provide assistance during this period.

However, he assured that there is currently adequate supply of irrigation water being supplied to farmers, unlike the ‘picture’ painted by the AFC.

“In relation to the preparation of access dams to transport produce from farm to rice mills, while we do not have the direct responsibility, we do support the region and very shortly financing will be provided for the grading of additional access dams in the Region,” Wordsworth said.

Over $300M in equipment which included bulldozers and excavators were procured and will be used in various parts of the country to assist in emergency D&I works and prepare access dams.

“There are programmes in place to ensure that access dams are adequately prepared to facilitate transport of produce,” he assured.

Two additional pontoons and an excavator procured at a cost of $244M will be placed in the region shortly to dredge outfall channels along the coast.

Over the years, Government has been working tirelessly to employ new technologies and deploy equipment to battle the effects of climate change, which have been significantly affecting the country.

Replies sorted oldest to newest

You really need to learn to read and understand. The Prez stated quite clearly(Obviously NOT to you) that he has been associating with Mr Ed Ahmad for over 10 years. You need me to explain anything?? Or you still confuse??
quote:
Originally posted by baseman:
Well, what would you expect anyway. BJ rejected and knowledge of a person called Roger Khan or being close friends to Ed Ahmad.
Nehru
Essequibo Rice Sector beset by a number of problems

The Alliance For Change is seriously concerned at recent problems besetting the rice industry on the Essequibo Coast. It goes without saying that the rice industry on the Essequibo Coast is the lifeblood of the Region 2 economy (with approximately 32,000 acres under rice cultivation) and an afflicted rice industry will have far reaching repercussion in the other sectors as well.

Firstly, the inefficiency of the Dawa pump located near the Pomeroon River is a cause for serious concern. This pump which channels water into the Tapakuma Lake and then into the main canal from where rice farmers have access, is not being operated to meet the needs of rice farmers on the coast.

The Chairman and Vice Chairman have both made statements in the past that monies are not available to operate this pump to maximum efficiency and that monies have to be requested from Central Government.


Farmers say that an inadequate supply of water causes the land to dry which is accompanied by the growth of unwanted weeds in the rice field. When it is considered that rice is a crop that is highly dependent on an adequate and timely supply of water, this situation is revealed as grossly untenable. Farmers have said that in years gone by, an efficient system of drainage and irrigation was maintained by rangers who did periodic checks on water levels to ensure that the supply was adequate. Today, whilst there is still the existence of rangers, the efficient system of monitoring has completely broken down. Farmers have said that there were even instances when rangers were implicated in the passing of shoddy drainage work.

The rice yield of the Essequibo coast which is approximately 1 million bags of paddy per crop will definitely see reduced figures at the end of this crop as a result of this unreliable supply of water.

The AFC has discovered that there is a single bulldozer (on the whole of the Essequibo Coast) attached to the Drainage and Irrigation Authority which works and maintains the access dams that farmers depend on heavily. This Bulldozer has been down for the last two months. Rice farmers have said that access roads are very important to rice cultivation and this unavailability of machinery to maintain these is quite unacceptable.


Farmers have said that they are completely at the mercy of the millers when it comes to the pricing of their product. They have said that millers fix prices on supposedly world market trends. However, there is no means of verifying this information. They have posited that the Guyana Rice Development Board must be more involved in this process to ensure that farmers have access to a just and equitable price. Another source of bother for rice farmers in region two is the lengthy period (sometimes up to six months) they sometimes have to wait for payment from the millers.

Farmers have said that they are oppressed by the VAT attached to the cost of spare parts and other implements for tractors, combines and other equipment. They have posited that in the interest of agricultural production, the VAT attached to such spares should be reduced or even zero rated.

The AFC in its Action Plan proposes the following policies for the rice sector for a fuller realization of its potential and greater profitability.

1. Re-gaining the respect within Caricom, UNASUR and other international markets that Guyana can be a reliable supplier of rice;

2. Provide access to low interest capital through the establishment of a State Development Bank which will support the rice farmers and the millers, as well as fishery and livestock farmers;

3. Planting and reproductive material being available to farmers by the authorities. GRDB, NARI and UG will be upgraded to produce higher yielding and better disease-resistant varieties and generic planting material to ensure less dependence on imported pesticides, weedicides and fertilizers;

4. Improve the farm to market dams and roads and overhaul the drainage and irrigation system;

5. Manufacture value added products e.g. rice cereals, rice pudding and rice flakes for the local and international markets.

http://www.voteafc.com/index.p...0&catid=37&Itemid=55
Mitwah
quote:
Region Two Chairman, technical officers reject AFC misrepresentation

Georgetown, GINA, September 7, 2011
Source - GINA

Region Two Chairman Ali Baksh today rejected claims made by the Alliance for Change (AFC), that farmers of the Region are beset by a number of problems, including irrigation.

He said that despite having a difficult crop due to the prolonged dry period, the region has already positioned itself to reap 100 percent of production, due to interventions which have significantly assisted farmers.

The region, with assistance from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Water Users Associations (WUAs), assisted farmers with fuel and pumping water from the Pomeroon River into the Tapakuma Lake conservancy.

“We have done our best from our side to assist farmers of Region Two. I think some of the statements made are ridiculous and uncalled for and I can assure the public that the majority of farmers would also refute such claims despite the few who have aligned themselves with political parties,” he said.

The Regional Chairman while assuring farmers that assistance will be given to transport produce to mills, said that 85 percent of the rice crop is currently at a reaping stage and as such, the dry period has significantly aided the process.

“I don’t know who are giving this false information to say that it is not possible for farmers to transport their produce to the rice mill. With respect to pricing that’s a question for farmers themselves and millers, the region don’t have anything to do with price negotiations and fixing price for paddy,” he said.

Deputy General Manager, Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Madanlall Ramraj while dismissing the claims with respect to pricing, reminded that at the beginning of every rice crop it is a norm for the GRDB to post international market prices, thus allowing farmers to be aware of pricing.

“All information with regards to pricing is there for farmers to see. Take for instance the Venezuelan market; when we had the increase recently of US $800 per tonne for white rice and $400 per tonnes of paddy it was posted, so how can such claims be made?” he questioned.

At the beginning of the rice crop, several meetings were also held with farmers across the country to discuss assistance for reaping. The Ministry of Agriculture also has a system in place through the GRDB and the Rice Producers Association (RPA), which ensures that farmers are given assistance once needed with agricultural machinery and spare parts.

This has seen farmers benefiting tremendously in this regard.

Measures have also been implemented by Government to ensure that rice farmers are not ripped off by delinquent millers and as such, the Rice Factory Act was amended, incorporating measures which would see millers facing the consequences for late payment.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer, NDIA, Lionel Wordsworth while highlighting interventions made by Government, said that huge investments continue to be made in drainage and irrigation, especially in Region Two which have seen approximately $240M being spent alone for this year.

There are currently two excavators working in the Region at Cozier and on the Coast, to completed D&I works including the rehabilitation of several drains, canals and outfall channels.

Wordsworth said that in preparation for the dry spell a meeting was summoned where the region’s operations were reviewed to determine suitable responses. At the meeting a decision was taken for the WUAs to provide assistance during this period.

However, he assured that there is currently adequate supply of irrigation water being supplied to farmers, unlike the ‘picture’ painted by the AFC.

“In relation to the preparation of access dams to transport produce from farm to rice mills, while we do not have the direct responsibility, we do support the region and very shortly financing will be provided for the grading of additional access dams in the Region,” Wordsworth said.

Over $300M in equipment which included bulldozers and excavators were procured and will be used in various parts of the country to assist in emergency D&I works and prepare access dams.

“There are programmes in place to ensure that access dams are adequately prepared to facilitate transport of produce,” he assured.

Two additional pontoons and an excavator procured at a cost of $244M will be placed in the region shortly to dredge outfall channels along the coast.

Over the years, Government has been working tirelessly to employ new technologies and deploy equipment to battle the effects of climate change, which have been significantly affecting the country.
FM
quote:
The AFC in its Action Plan proposes the following policies for the rice sector for a fuller realization of its potential and greater profitability.

1. Re-gaining the respect within Caricom, UNASUR and other international markets that Guyana can be a reliable supplier of rice;

2. Provide access to low interest capital through the establishment of a State Development Bank which will support the rice farmers and the millers, as well as fishery and livestock farmers;

3. Planting and reproductive material being available to farmers by the authorities. GRDB, NARI and UG will be upgraded to produce higher yielding and better disease-resistant varieties and generic planting material to ensure less dependence on imported pesticides, weedicides and fertilizers;

4. Improve the farm to market dams and roads and overhaul the drainage and irrigation system;

5. Manufacture value added products e.g. rice cereals, rice pudding and rice flakes for the local and international markets.


AFC! flag
Mitwah
On Wednesday August 10 2011 the Alliance For Change through its former Presidential Candidate Raphael Trotman, announced that his party will establish an anti-corruption court in Guyana were it elected to Government at the upcoming polls.

Even more hilarious than its Dick Morris poll prior to the 2006 elections, is their latest revelation of being in contact with foreign experts to establish such a court as they prepare to enter Government.

Surprisingly, this opposition politician who has been a career Attorney-At- Law was quoted by the media as saying he does not need to find proof of corruption to prosecute persons.

Everyone knows that the AFC’s mantra has been to criticize at every opportunity, but what is troubling is as we near the elections period, the promises of this party is getting more extravagant. It is clear that this political outfit has long ago divorced itself from reality in its desperate quest for political power in Guyana.

Surely this is a very dangerous trend as based on these larger than life promises of the AFC; one year in Government would see Guyana being transformed into the land of milk and honey with the problems of the world all around us having absolutely no effect on our nation. Such is the magnitude of the deceptive nature of the individuals in this party.

Now if such a court were to be established, there is a strong likelihood that some of the first individuals to be put on trial may be the party executives themselves.
One local businessman openly came out recently and accused a senior member of the AFC Mr Sasenarine Singh of accepting bribes, and disclosed the nature of their illegal arrangement. The businessman even threatened to make public other related information of which he said he had proof.
But this was quickly stopped when the AFC executive moved to the high court to obtain an injunction barring the businessman from making any further disclosures. So much for the AFC’s stance regarding free-speech, access to information and corruption.

How can we also forget the damning allegations made by one Prakash Persaud against both the AFC’s current Presidential Candidate Khemraj Ramjattan, and his predecessor Raphael Trotman, in an open letter to the High Court pleading for justice in which, he alleges incidences of perjury, fraud and/or embezzlement and unbecoming conduct regarding their involvement in a land dispute.

What lends credence to the allegations is that both the businessman who admitted that he is a PNC supporter, and at one time part of its elections slate and Mr. Persaud, who admitted that the Trotman’s and Ramjattan were close family friends of his, is the bold decision to make such details public.

But it does not end there as only recently PPP Presidential Candidate Mr. Donald Ramotar had cause to disclose that one of the first disagreements the party had with Ramjattan, which eventually led to him leaving the party, was at a meeting himself and Mrs. Janet Jagan had with him, regarding the nature of people he was representing, many of whom were smugglers or suspected smugglers.

According to Ramotar, even the then Head of CUSTOMS Mr. Lambert Marks had complained bitterly to the PPP about the types of cases Ramjattan was taking in his representation of smugglers, something which he thought was not proper. Ramjattan is reported to have indicated that he is a lawyer and he can defend whomever he likes.
Then there is also the allegation of a certain AFC MP involved in a duty free concession scam, and how could one forget accusations leveled against Trotman, Ramjattan and Holder by no other than a fellow senior executive member of the AFC at the time, Mrs. Gaumattie Singh, in September 2006.

Singh had accused the AFC of playing musical chairs with the parliamentary seats it won following the party’s decision to appoint Chantelle Smith as a MP, after it reneged on a promise before the elections that she would be appointed to such a position.

Gaumattie had also disclosed Trotman’s response to her via an email to justify the move in which he stated it was solely ‘to guarantee income for Smith and it was necessary to provide such a benefit for her at the time”. Kickbacks for friends and supporters of the party using taxpayer’s money in the National Assembly. Singh was also quoted in the media as saying that “the reason given by Trotman for Smith’s selection for parliament is one that did not auger well for the country as persons should be chosen as MPs to serve the interest of the nation and not to have a self-serving interest” as in the case of the AFC.

What proves equally self-serving is the party’s position on the Amaila Falls Hydro project, which once again illustrates that the party has specific messages for different audiences.
When Trotman announced plans for the establishment of an ‘Anti-Corruption court’ and indicated that opposition politicians do not need to find proof of corruption, he listed the Amailia Falls project as a case in point.

Here it is Trotman is making such a damning allegation against this project when a senior executive member of his very own party is a business partner in the project with responsibility for public relations.

Even more so, the party was questioned a few weeks ago by the media as to the nature of such a relationship especially since it was making such allegations against the project when no other than the party’s Presidential Candidate Khemraj Ramjattan indicated that he would not deny Hughes a chance to earn income through her association with the project.

So here it is one of the party’s Executive Members has been publicly defending the legitimacy of the project and the contractor involved, and on the other hand when it’s convenient the very same party is insinuating that there is some illegitimacy involved in its smear campaign against the Government.

Such is the two faced nature of the AFC and all Guyanese must be on their guard to expose and dismiss these individuals when they come around with their specific messages for specific communities which only serves to create division within our society for their self serving agenda.
Source
FM
Is Al YUh trying to sell it to the Guyanese People now Al yuh gat a glut of Snakeoil. So all has to be in your big Bamsy. yippie yippie Dat is like a Cassius Clay double Jab. yippie yippie
quote:
Originally posted by cain:
You and Abutt musbe had snakeoil shoved down yall bamsy to be talking about that shyte every friggin day.
Nehru
quote:
Originally posted by Nehru:
You really need to learn to read and understand. The Prez stated quite clearly(Obviously NOT to you) that he has been associating with Mr Ed Ahmad for over 10 years. You need me to explain anything?? Or you still confuse??
quote:
Originally posted by baseman:
Well, what would you expect anyway. BJ rejected and knowledge of a person called Roger Khan or being close friends to Ed Ahmad.

And how long has he been associating with you...10 days. dunno
FM
Essequibo rice industry flourishing under PPP/C
Written by RAJENDRA PRABHULALL
Friday, 09 September 2011

THE small Alliance for Change (AFC) party is reminded that the rice industry on the Essequibo Coast is currently flourishing under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government and rice farmers have benefited significantly from government’s massive investment in the rice industry from October 1992 to now.
An article in the Stabroek News dated September 8 and captioned: “AFC says Essequibo rice sector beset by a number of problems,” is terribly inaccurate and far from the truth. It is also painting the wrong picture of the Essequibo rice industry. The AFC says the inefficiency of the Dawa pump near the Pomeroon is a cause for serious concern and is among problems besetting the rice industry.
Let me set this matter straight. First of all, the Dawa pump station came about because of the founder of the PPP Dr Cheddi Jagan’s vision for the rice industry on the Essequibo Coast.
During the PPP governments in the 1950s and early 1960s Dr Jagan who was then premier had the Dawa pump station constructed with the idea of pumping water from the Pomeroon River into the Tapakuma Lake and into the drainage and irrigation network to irrigate rice lands during the dry weather period. How is it now that the AFC that was formed the other day is seeing this as a problem?
The PPP/C government under the leadership of President Bharrat Jagdeo has installed four new pumps and rehabilitated the pump station to make it more efficient to supply water to rice lands in hot weather. Millions of dollars were spent there. Has anybody from the AFC’s camp gone there to see the newly rehabilitated Dawa pump station?
The current rice crop is actually 85 per cent ready for harvest, only a small portion that was sown late will need water and that’s not a problem. There is enough water in the system to irrigate those fields.
Vice-Chairman Samaroo reported that irrigation is currently ongoing in the downstream areas for the AFC’s information. The Dawa pump station is working well and efficiently.
The pump is operated by the regional administration whenever there is need for additional water in the system. Only recently, the administration operated pumps for at last 10 days to pump water into the irrigation system using some 50 drums of diesel, all for the benefit of rice farmers. The pumps are operated to its maximum efficiency.
The Drainage and Irrigation Department always ensures that farmers are given irrigation supply in a very timely manner. Well, the AFC article said too that years gone by an efficient system of drainage and irrigation was maintained by rangers who did periodic checks. That system is still maintained and the entire system is properly monitored and has not broken down as the AFC is claiming.
Concerning payment for farmers’ produce, the government has put laws in place via the Rice Factory Act to assist farmers and has secured international markets through GRDB and RPA for paddy and rice. The latest market is the Venezuelan market from which farmers are benefiting.
Look at the expansion of cultivation areas on the Essequibo Coast, where every field is planted with rice each crop.
Well, then if the rice industry is in trouble because of problems as claimed by the AFC, how come farmers are doing so well…buying new vehicles, tractors, building new houses?
Guyana has always been a supplier of rice to the Caribbean and markets farther afield. The PPP/C government, when it took office in October, 1992 had to put the rice industry back on its feet after it was destroyed by the previous government. Now the rice industry is blooming again and here comes the AFC with its action plan, to do what? Well, all Guyanese know the rice industry is going well and the AFC can keep its plans for some other time.
Government, through the GRDB, RPA and NARI, has invested heavily in the rice sector, providing higher and resistance yielding plants. Every crop there are several experimental plots cultivated in the rice-growing regions and many farmers are taken to observe the growing of the new varieties. They are also given lectures on the various rice crops.
At Anna Regina, the government has constructed a seed bond and facilities to test and select quality seeds for the benefit of farmers.
Region 2 is a rice-growing area and the administration has spared no effort to ensure that the industry prospers.
The rice industry in Region 2 never prospered under the PNC government.
Source: Guyana Chronicle
B
quote:
Farmers say that an inadequate supply of water causes the land to dry which is accompanied by the growth of unwanted weeds in the rice field. When it is considered that rice is a crop that is highly dependent on an adequate and timely supply of water, this situation is revealed as grossly untenable. Farmers have said that in years gone by, an efficient system of drainage and irrigation was maintained by rangers who did periodic checks on water levels to ensure that the supply was adequate. Today, whilst there is still the existence of rangers, the efficient system of monitoring has completely broken down. Farmers have said that there were even instances when rangers were implicated in the passing of shoddy drainage work.

The rice yield of the Essequibo coast which is approximately 1 million bags of paddy per crop will definitely see reduced figures at the end of this crop as a result of this unreliable supply of water.

.
This is what the farmers, looking for representatin are saying to the AFC.
Mitwah
What is important to note here is that the PPP constantly comes out and tries to discredit facts when the AFC or others point it out. This is nothing new or revolutionary; it is a predictable strategy to the point of reflex - Deny, Dismiss and Delay.

This is no different than the incident with Davekumar Jainauth where at first the PPP denied the man was injured they said he was playing tricks, then they dismissed it and claimed they paid for his expenses when we all know the AFC paid his expenses. So the PPP lied to the press and tried to brush off the incident.

Later on they delayed the matter by having the top echelons of the party rush to region 5 to try and claim that drug dealers paid the man's medical bills only to be refuted with accurate, documented and clear facts by the AFC Executive in Region 5. I bet the difficulties of crossing the berbice river are also not true and the schools without benches and desks are also not true, and Gail Texiera making G$880,000 a month (G$10M) a year is also not true, right?

In addition, the PPP leadership living above their means in their ivory towers is also not true, no?
FM
A bumper rice crop unlikely this year
By STABROEK STAFF | LETTERS | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2011

Dear Editor,

Harvesting of the present rice crop has commenced in Region Two, where farmers are making full use of the sunny weather. It has not commenced in the central parts of the Essequibo Coast, but is moving apace in the northern and to some extent the southern sections.

In the areas where harvesting has begun farmers have reported that they are reaping an average of 20-25 bags per acre. The red rice infestation has somewhat affected the crop, so they are not optimistic that overall a bumper crop will result. Some 31,500 acres are expected to be harvested without much difficulty in this region. The analysis of farmers‘ costs for this crop indicate that many farmers would break even with their production costs at the going yield.

However, some farmers would not recover their total costs and their profit margins will be affected. These uncertainties and falling yields will alarm policy-makers in the industry with regard to the quality of paddy and whether Guyana can effectively supply the Venezuelan market. Every effort would have to be made to catch up on the shortfall in the next crop of 2012. In order to achieve this, some assistance will have to be given to farmers.

The red rice affecting the current crop is a consequence of the prolonged dry spell. In those fields affected by red rice, farmers should not use produce from the crop as seed because it will increase the red rice problem and there will be low germination and poor seedling vigour. The Ministry of Agriculture should arrange to get high quality seeds from the RPA seed bond at Anna Regina or the Burma Rice Research Station. Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud should seek help from NARI and the Burma Research Station to combat the red rice infestation in the future. Considering the nature of the current situation, it will be necessary to lobby these agencies to protect the interest of our rice farmers.

Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Khan

Source
FM
quote:
Originally posted by cain:
quote:
Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
quote:
Originally posted by TK_REDUX:

AFC is the future.


.. perhaps after 2016.


Oh yeah, then too.


True, Cain. Big Grin

Possibly in 2016, 2021 or after .. but not in 2011. Smile
FM

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