President Ali recommits to assisting Region Two farmers – “We are in this together”

President Irfaan Ali on Friday stressed to farmers, mostly rice producers, of Pomeroon-
Supenaam (Region Two) that his Government will continue to work with them to address the
issues that are currently facing the industry.
President Ali was accompanied by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, and Agriculture Minister,
Zulfikar Mustapha explained the global supply challenges that are contributing to the rise in
prices and the lack of supplies. He stressed during the discussions held at the Guyana Rice
Producers’ Association bond in Anna Regina, that he had been proactive in his visits to the
region via a cabinet outreach and a presidential outreach. Ali noted that since his last visit in
September, the Government has been able to resolve more than 120 land issues and more than
100 National Insurance Scheme issues. “You raised issues about passport office; we established
a full passport office here. Since it has been established, it has received 229 applications, and we
have already processed 221,” the President declared.
Ali assured the farmers that they have his Government’s support. “I am here to work with the
farmers to genuinely improve your stocks….Every single day we are out there fighting for
farmers, fighting for every Guyanese. So, we are in this together. If you sink, I sink, if I rise, you
rise—it’s a simple equation,” he said. Ali disclosed that in September, one of the main issues that
farmers raised was the rising price of fertilisers which were affecting their output. Minister
Zulfikar pointed out that since the issue was raised, the Government was able to influence the
reduction of the price for the two types of fertilisers by 10% and 18%. Ali went on to explained
that today (Friday) he was able to speak to the fertiliser dealer and had prices reduced by a
further $100.
GLOBAL ISSUES
President Ali also took time to explain and reiterate to the farmers that the rising cost of
fertilisers and other goods is out of the Government’s control. “The Minister of Agriculture will
tell you what is happening in the industry. And then I will tell you what more we are doing to try
and help you because you know what is going on right now. The price of natural gas is
skyrocketing, and natural gas is a key ingredient to produce fertilisers. We don’t have control
over that. Understanding that I’ve been reaching out, we have meetings every day with other
countries to try to resolve this issue,” he explained. Ali disclosed that the Government has been
in meetings daily with other countries to try to directly resolve the issue and bring further relief
to the farmers. Minister Singh also took the time explaining the other external factors that are
affecting the country. He revealed that the global supply chain has been severely affected as a
large number of freights have not been able to move from their ports, which has directly resulted
in a significant increase in the cost of shipping. “In some of the richest countries in the world,
shelves are empty for Christmas this year. That is what is happening worldwide,” Dr. Singh said.
Ali also answered questions and resolve issues that the farmers raised on the spot.