Rice farmers welcome relief measures

- but anticipate more support

RICE farmers in Region

Two (Pomeroon- Supenaam), who were among those clamouring for some relief before the first rice crop of 2023 is harvested, and the Guyana Rice Producers’ Association have welcomed the measures announced by the government on Saturday, following an intervention by President, Dr Irfaan Ali and other top officials.

President Ali; Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo; Minister of Agriculture, Zulifikar Mustapha and representatives of the Guyana Rice Exporters and Millers Association (GREMA) and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) on Saturday finalised an agreement for farmers across the country to receive at least $4,000 per bag of paddy.

In the document, which was signed by all parties and released to the media on Saturday, it was also agreed that the sales commission paid by millers and exporters for rice, by-products of rice

Vice President of the Essequibo Rice farmers Development Committee, Rabindra Ramcharran and paddy would be reduced to zero for the first crop of 2023.

These measures are expected to bring significant relief to rice farmers who, for months, have been seeking assistance because of the increased cost of production and lower payments from millers.

“The forgoing of the GRDB charges associated with the export of paddy, rice and the byproducts will reduce the cost of export and enable exporters to pay farmers a well-deserved price for paddy,” the Rice Producers’ Association said, while welcoming the government’s move.

Meanwhile, individual farmers also welcomed the relief.

“I think this is some good news. At least [they] try but we believe better can be done. I know scales are calibrated; however, let me tell you that more visits are needed because we can get increase,” rice farmer Majeed Mohamed said.

Vice-President of the Essequibo Rice farmers Development Committee, Rabindra Ramcharran, said that the news is “good,” but he too believes that more can be done by the government. He said that the cost of production has increased and many farmers are reaping fewer bags of paddy per acre. to monitor the weight and moisture level of the paddy.

“I am calling on the government to give $1,000 per bag as a subsidy. Last crop it was hard on rice farmers and some of them were not planning to go back in the fields. We appreciate what has been done but we have to look at ways to reduce the cost of production,” Ramcharran said.

Another rice farmer, Dyal Jagdeo of Golden Fleece said that the relief provided is a positive move and he is thankful. Jagdeo is cultivating 20 acres of rice lands.

“Every crop is something new but we are thankful, we are glad and we hope to see more changes,” he said.

“We see that the government wants to help but also there must be people in the system to monitor. Essequibo is rice-farming and we depend on same, this is what we take care of our family with,” Persaud said.

Rice farmers in the Maria’s Lodge and Johanna Cecilia areas also welcomed the move and showered

Ramcharran is currently cultivating 85 acres. He suggested that the GRDB dispatch personnel to the mills