THE countrywide consultations on rising food prices continued last Friday at the Linmine Constabulary Hall, Linden, with the governmental team comprising Ministers of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn, Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Henry Jeffrey and Presidential Adviser on Empowerment Odinga Lumumba. Regional Chairman of Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice), Mortimer Mingo was also present.

Dr. Jeffrey in outlining the importance of the consultations to all Guyanese said that generally persons knew that the food prices were increasing on the world market owing to short falls in production of certain basic items due largely to extreme weather conditions affecting the agriculture industry in different parts of the world, and the rising price of oil among other factors.

He noted that the consultations were aimed at finding medium and long-term solutions to deal with the situation.

He pointed out that government had already implemented several initiatives to cushion the effects of the increased prices on Guyanese but there must be an understanding by the citizens as to what is taking place.

He identified the ‘Grow More’ campaign as an initiative that could bring relief to communities in the short-term as persons could supplement their diet with what they produce.

Benn, in his remarks outlined the effects on economies when fuel prices increase. He however, pointed out that Guyana is fortunate in that it produces a staple (rice) and that its exports could be controlled to ensure adequate supplies on the local market.

What cannot be stopped, he said, is the increase in price, as that is determined by the demand and supply forces on the market.

Lumumba said that the situation could be abated if persons were willing to change their lifestyle, by becoming involved in farming.

Mingo spoke of the availability of land for the Region’s residents, noting that many farmers are willing to expand their farms, but are unable to access lease for the lands.

Some residents claimed that they are farming for over five years on state land and are not in possession of a lease so they could not access loans from the banks to extend their activities.

Others claimed to have used their household items to secure loans but this is insufficient to allow them to access the amount of money needed to get into commercial production.

Some residents suggested that government should implement a minimum wage that will allow persons to have more money to spend, that price control be re-introduced and that the ‘price buster’ programme be expanded to include all food items.

Replying to these suggestions Dr. Jeffrey said that while their suggestions sound good, history has proven that they are not workable as governments cannot compete with private merchants and therefore, what government can do is ensure an enabling environment for business and to have the market forces determine prices.

In response to the suggestion to implement a minimum wage so that persons could earn more, Benn used the example of Zimbabwe where persons earn millions of dollars but with no value.

He said that Guyana should never make the mistake of spending more than it can produce as such situations lead to economic devastation.

Other residents expressed appreciation for the consultations and assured the ministers that the Region has recognised the importance of turning to agriculture in the face of the collapse of the region’s bauxite industry.

Decisions taken by the regional administration resulted in an increase in agriculture production over the last three years, residents said.

The countrywide consultation is seeking the inputs of citizens in order to inform additional measures to help cushion the effects of the rising prices.

Earlier similar consultations took place in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) at Leonora and Greenwich Park Primary Schools.