Through a letter addressed to the Minister of Agriculture, Martha Carvajalino, the rice growers’ union warned that producers in the sector have been experiencing a decrease in the price of Paddy rice in the last three weeks.
(See: Imports of agricultural products showed a downward trend until April)
According to them, concern is increasing considering that this type of rice is the one that the milling industry pays for, a situation that is at risk. This week, the largest harvest of the second half of the year began, and will last until mid-October.
“The prices that are being paid in the different regions of the country are meaning losses in our income, taking into account, on the one hand, that yields have been affected by the severity of the high temperatures in the first half of the year, and on the other, that there is no incentive to storage as a tool around which a minimum purchase price can be agreed, as had historically existed.“, they say in the letter.
(See also: Who should limit white rice consumption? This is what Harvard says)
On the other hand, they point out that although a large harvest is beginning, The rice inventories that the mills have only last for one month of consumption, and that is why production will be adjusted to normally cover national demand, and to save the temporary surpluses that the country will require for consumption in the first half of 2025.
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“It would be ideal if there were an incentive to store rice, at least for producers, which would give us the possibility of participating in this mechanism in order to store part of the harvest. Otherwise, we farmers will be the ones to assume, with lower prices, the cost incurred by the industry for storing rice that will have to be kept in the country for several months.“, they say.
(Read More: Rice farmers request security and investment from the National Government)
For Fedearroz, this would be unfair to “thousands” of farmers and their families, who have persisted in this productive activity, “Despite the lack of state investment in irrigation districts, drainage infrastructure, roads and security”.
They also reiterated that it would be unfair if the effort made over the years were compromised by both business decisions and the “absence of government policies” that put jeopardizing the livelihood of families that depend on the sector.
(See: Insecurity problems that threaten agricultural productivity)
Rice
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In the letter, the rice growers’ union asks that government aid be implemented, seeking to prevent producers are forced to sell rice at prices that do not cover production costs.
(Read: Agricultural sectors urgently call for security guarantees in the country)
“We urge the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to take immediate steps to provide an incentive for crop storage, protecting our livelihood, and ensuring the country’s food security.“, they conclude.
