Rice harvesting has commenced in villages across Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) including Aurora, Airy Hall, Affiance, Golden Fleece, Lima and Hampton Court. However, despite the fact that millers are paying cash for paddy, many rice farmers are dissatisfied with the current prices offered since, according to them, they cannot compensate for their expenses.
The current prices offered by millers range from $1800 to $2400 for grade A and B paddy. Millers currently purchasing include Arnold Sankar, Imam Bacchus and Sons, Golden Fleece Rice Investment, Sea Rice and Caricom Rice Mill. This newspaper was also informed that two reputable millers still owe rice farmers a huge sum of money.
Farmers harvesting rice
At Imam Bacchus and Sons mill, the price ranges from $2200 to $2400 for grades A, B and C paddy. It was unclear if these millers are paying cash; however, the farmers are contending that millers can offer a much better price.
“Those prices cannot pay at all; we have invested a lot into our crop this year, the extra burden was on the pumping, the El Niño situation devastated our crop, we were struggling; we can be satisfied with a $3000-$3500 for a bag,” one Aurora farmer commented.
When Guyana Times visited several mills in the Region, rice farmers were observed taking their paddy from fields straight to the mills, owing to the lack of a storage facility. According to the farmers, this is the only option they have.
“We have to take it to the mill despite what they will pay us because where will we store it? The Government not doing anything,” another rice farmer said.
They are, therefore, calling on the Government of Guyana to find profitable markets. They explained too that since the coalition Government took office, the rice industry has been left to suffer.
The challenges faced by rice farmers were as a result of many factors, including insufficient supply of water in their fields, the El Niño weather phenomenon, late payments and indebtedness.
Additionally, the rice farmers were not even given lower prices for fertilisers or pesticide as were offered by the previous Government to assist them in offsetting their overhead expenses. The rice crop is currently affected by paddy bugs.
Farmers have reiterated their dissatisfaction over Government’s approach to the rice industry and are calling for Agriculture Minister Noel Holder to represent their interests.
