With the price for fuel continuing to rise at the pump, the Guyana Rice Producers Association is concerned about the financial hardship that the rising prices could add to the Agriculture Sector.
The Association wants the Government to immediately lower the taxes on fuel to ease the burden on the productive sector.
According tot the Association, farmers who are currently harvesting have been experiencing increase in transportation costs from an average of $200 to $800 per bag because of poor condition of access.
“Many have been forced to use a combination of poor dams and weed infested waterways and this increase in fuel prices might very well be the proverbial last straw. Additionally, most farmers are currently involved in land preparation exercise and sowing of their fields and in the latter case most fuel is being used compared to the crop duration so the increase is coming at a really bad time for the farmers”, the statement said.
The Rice Producers want the Government to re-implement the sliding rate on taxes to cushion the impact of international price increases, since “to do nothing but collect exorbitant taxes will stifle production and affect thousands of lives.”
Contacted today about the concerns being raised about the rising price for fuel, Minister of State Joe Harmon said the Government will address the issue soon. The Finance Minister is expected to offer advice to the Cabinet on the matter next Tuesday, he said.
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