Starnieuws – Members of Parliament support rice farmers’ struggle

Some MPs were outspoken in the National Assembly on Thursday that the rice farmers in Nickeri are waging a just struggle. Niesha Jhakry and Mahinder Jogi of the VHP pointed out that the government has released SRD 60 million but the amount is not enough to compensate for the losses suffered. Their colleague Mohamedsafiek Gowrie believes that SRD 2,000 per hectare is not enough. He must join the National Assembly or he will strongly support the struggle of the farmers in Brazzaville. Ebu Jones (NDP) pointed out that the government is playing a big joke on the farmers in Nickeri.

Ivanildo Plein (NPS) called the struggle of the farmers in Nickeri fair, but also drew attention to other areas where farmers suffered losses. According to him, the government had promised compensation of 12,000 SRD per hectare and has now promised 2,000 SRD. He wondered what will happen next. Remi Tarnadi (NDP) also pointed out that farmers are not satisfied with the government’s promises. He also drew attention to other sectors that suffered damage and have not been compensated. Obed Kanapé (ABOP/PL faction leader) pointed out that the potential of agriculture should be paid attention to at the national level.

Jogi noted that the farmers in Nickli worked hard and fought a just struggle. He was grateful to the President and SRD 60 million had been released but the money was not enough. Jogi admitted that the President did not have a magic wand but that farmers were having problems due to human errors in the Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV). Jogi calculated that the government was spending SRD 380 million per month to increase the purchasing power of SRD 1,800 and the purchasing power of civil servants SRD 3,500. He expected the government to come up with the second tranche of funds to put the first tranche of public food on the table.

Jones pointed out that the reason is not climate change but LVV brutality and corruption. LVV is grinding private roads and farmers are not getting paid. When farmers ask for better prices for paddy, they are not getting it. Jones said contractors who are buyers of paddy are privately awarded all works by LVV. Paddy prices are determined by the same people. LVV vehicles also provide fuel for entrepreneurs doing excavation work. He excavated 1 km back and forth. “This is nyan moni. That’s the problem, Mr. Chairman. When farmers rightly ask what they should get, you have to give it to them. No other small talk.”