Rice farmers to be paid a minimum of $4,000 per bag of paddy

Mar 05, 2023 News

…Sales commission paid by millers, exporters of rice, its by-products and paddy reduced to zero for first crop of 2023

Kaieteur News – Following a meeting facilitated by President Irfaan Ali at State House with representatives of the Guyana Millers and Exporters Association (GREMA) and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) at State House, it was agreed that the sales commission paid by millers and exporters for rice, by-products of rice and paddy is reduced to zero for the first crop of 2023 and that all millers will purchase farmers’ paddy for the first crop of 2023 at a minimum of $4000 per bag.

Participants listen to President Irfaan Ali during a meeting held at State House on Saturday. (DPI photo)

A participant signs an agreement at Saturday’s meeting at State House (DPI Photo)

The agreement was made and signed in the presence of Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha.

In February, Minister Mustapha met with rice farmers from Regions Two, Three, Five, and Six to discuss some of the issues faced in the industry. Among the issues raised by the farmers is the price paid for paddy from millers.  The farmers had requested an across-the-board price for paddy from millers.

In response to the requests made by the farmers, Mustapha committed to “continue to engage the millers on prices but I cannot promise an across-the-board price for paddy. For instance, in Region Two, the price to transport will be more than in Region Five so in order for millers to earn they take those factors into consideration. You know for a fact last year we were able to negotiate with millers from Region Two for better prices for farmers and now you are getting up to $4,000 per bag,” Minister Mustapha explained.

• exporters, millers, paddy, President Irfaan Ali, rice