Colombia’s Agriculture Minister on late Wednesday evening signed an agreement with the country’s millers to ensure an immediate government purchase all rice production within the country, in a bid to avoid major strike action planned for Thursday.The national strike, announced for Thursday is expected to shut down highways connecting Bogota and the surrounding rice-producing states of Tolima, Casanare, Huila and Meta.
MORE: Rice growers to strike Thursday, block roads to Colombia’s capital
In August 2013, a rice farmers were among those in a major multi-industry strike action that saw violence and disruption across Colombia. Five people were killed in clashes with the police, 458 people were injured and highways and roads were closed down around the country.
Now, according to the resolution signed by Agriculture Minister Lizarralde Ruben Dario on Tuesday night, the government will buy rice at $52 a ton in a bid to avoid a strike.
“There is no reason for the strike. They [rice growers] have created rumors that millers do not buy rice. Some producers trusted my word and what they’re hoping for is an agreement. So tomorrow I will go personally to a mill to verify that there is no reason for protest in the sector,” the minister said.
Other challenges remain for rice farmers. Last week, the Rice Growers Federation told Colombia Reports that the main problem facing rice growers at the moment was rice smuggled in from neighboring countries. This was depressing the price of rice by up to 40% in some regions.
MORE: Smuggled rice threatens livelihood of 2 million Colombians: Federation
Comment was being sought from rice growers about whether the strikes will go ahead as planned.
Sources
- Gobierno toma medidas para frenar paro arrocero (El Espectador)
- Gobierno asegura que no hay motivos para realizar paro arrocero (Caracol Radio)