Confusion abounds at Cane Grove fertilizer distribution

Dec 23, 2009 News

Rice farmers from Cane Grove, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, are expressing frustration over the confusion surrounding the distribution of fertiliser in their community.
Yesterday, farmers turned up at the distribution site only to be turned away because their names were not on a special list of recipients.
This was despite the farmers registering with the Rice Producers’ Association, the organisation that is responsible for the distribution.
The names of persons from La Bonne Intention, Enmore and even persons whose addresses were listed as the United States of America were on the list taken to Cane Grove.
The farmers will now have to await the return of the RPA representatives next week with the hope that the situation will be rectified.
The government, through the Rice Producers Association, is providing fertilizers to rice farmers at half the established price.
One farmer who cultivates nine acres of land told this newspaper that he had registered his name to obtain the fertiliser, a week ago.
However when he turned up at the site where the distribution was taking place, he was told that his name was not on the list.
“Look how far LBI deh. They even had people from the USA and most of them were not there,” the farmer said, declining to disclose his name for fear of victimization.
Most of the farmers are wondering how the officials could get it so terribly wrong.
He said that most of the farmers from Cane Grove had to re register in order to be considered for the next fertiliser distribution exercise.