Stock Breeding and Fisheries (LVV), Mike Noersalim about the problems that they are currently facing. Some of the farmers explained that they have outdated equipment and that they still have huge debts to pay as a result of the bank loans that they took via the Agrarian Credit Fund (AKF). They also complained about the poor infrastructure. According to the rice farmers from Saramacca, the fund has been moved to the National Development Bank (NOB) which is constantly raising the interest rates. The rice farmers pointed out that they face a huge problems each day as they are not provided with irrigation water and the necessary logistics that are needed. “We are entirely dependent on the water from the Saramacca River but in the dry season the salinity rises thereby making it difficult to reach our quota.” Several businesses are struggling to stay afloat and more than 3 businesses have been put up for auction by the bank. The rice farmers from Saramacca pointed out that their fields are flooded in the rainy season because of the disruption of the ecology in the swamps as a result of the activities of the State Oil Company (Staatsolie). The fields of the rice farmers cover more than 2,000 hectares but they have barely cultivated 200 hectares.

The rice farmers hope that Minister Noersalim will respond to their pleas so that they come up with solutions together.