Over 1500 Region 2 farmers receive $257M in fertiliser vouchers

In keeping with Government’s pledge to assist rice farmers to secure a better crop, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) on Wednesday began the distribution of fertiliser vouchers in Region Two, with over 1500 farmers being recipients.

During Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s visit to the region earlier this year, he had offered Government assistance to sustain the rice sector in light of the high production cost for fertiliser.

The fertiliser assistance project – carried out by the GRDB in collaboration with the Rice Producers Association (RPA) – is being conducted for $275 million and is aimed at alleviating the cost burden of production in the region.
The vouchers can be exchanged for fertiliser at companies identified by the RPA.
President Dr Irfaan Ali had announced a $1 billion fertiliser assistance programme for farmers earlier this year.
In July, Guyana Times reported that two months after President Dr Irfaan Ali had announced that his Government would purchase $1 billion worth of fertiliser to distribute to farmers across various regions, the tender for that project was out, and has already attracted a number of bids.
The bids for this tender, which is seeking a company to supply 5000 metric tons of granular urea fertiliser, were opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) this week.
According to the tender, the fertiliser would be distributed in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
Among the bidders, Caricom Rice Mill Limited entered a bid of $1.1 billion and Dax Contracting Services entered a bid of $1.2 billion. Cyril Singh Agricultural Enterprise Incorporated had a bid price of $495 million. Meanwhile Rayaadul Hakh Rice Industries bid in Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five and Six.

Thankful
Meanwhile, during an interview with several farmers, Sahadeo Persaud told Guyana Times that he is very thankful for the voucher. He added that it will assist him tremendously with his 40 acres of rice farm.
“What the Government is doing is bringing joy to most of us as rice farmers… You know how much this will help us? The price for fertiliser now we can’t afford and they do something great and lessen our burdens,” farmer Persaud said
Another rice farmer, Suresh Singh said that he is very satisfied with the bags of fertilisers he received for his 65 acres of rice fields. He added that most of his money was spent on fertiliser where the price for one bag of urea is $11,000 and the cost for one bag of MPK IS $10,000.
“With this intervention it will assist me a lot in my rice field. I am very thankful and satisfied with the bags I received,” he said.
Other recipients praised the Government for its support of the rice industry and are looking forward to their continuous support.
Additionally, during an interview with the Regional Vice Chairman, Humace Oodit, he stated that the process was being hindered by inaccurate information supplied to extension officers by the farmers. He added that it was time-consuming since the information has to undergo a verification process, which is done in the fields.