There was a time when being rich meant having money literally all over the place. The Nizam of Hyderabad, once one of the world's richest persons, had money tucked away in all corners of his palatial home. He had money hidden under his mattress, to which some Guyanese may relate.

In the present world situation, being rich is not about having huge sums of money stashed away in bank accounts or hidden all over one's home. Being rich means putting money to work for you, that is, money generating more and more money. The tricky part is to learn how to put this theory into practice, how to make a fixed amount of money to flow and keep on flowing for the benefit of the farmer.

Over the past few years, money flowed from the rice farmers to the millers/exporters and disappeared. The key is to have the money generated from the rice industry flow back to the farmers. This in turn greases the wheel of the farming community. In this situation money circulates from the farmer to the shopkeeper, milk vendor, the citrus and vegetable growers, millers, and a host of others who keep alive the spirit of the community. Those who "choked off" the money from the rice sales are responsible for the decline of the rice industry. The money belongs to the farmers' pockets.

Some time ago, I had suggested that the RPA incorporate itself into a Rice Producers' Co-operative and manage the export, etc. of rice. Changes and new visions or approaches are needed now. The rice farming community engages the services or labour of thousands of seasonal workers. These workers should be unionised into a Rice Farming Union.

There are other hindrances to be overcome within the farming community.

For example, cattle roam free at certain times of the year. This should end soon. Cattle owners ought to possess enough pasture land to provide fodder for their own animals. Cattle must not roam about on the properties of others. Cattle create havoc with the infrastructures of the rice belt, especially, the very important "dams" for the control and supply of water to the rice plants. If the cattle are kept out of the rice farming area, the incomes of farmers can be boosted by the planting of cash crops, fruit trees, etc. on the dams. May I also suggest that for a certain size of cultivatable land, that a limited amount of land be planted with (fruit) trees. This is good for the natural habitat.

Farmers can also secure certain areas where the rice is planted in "fields". These secured areas can then have young fresh water prawns, tilapia, etc. mature as the rice plants grow. These can be harvested as the water is drained out prior to the reaping of the rice crop. People just need to think a little to improve themselves.

Balwant Prasad