Wakenaam rice farmers finally paid by miller

The more than 35 rice farmers of Wakenaam who were left “in a state of insolvency” because of a miller’s failure to pay them have finally been paid.

This announcement was made by officials of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), who had recently launched an investigation into the farmers’ claims after Guyana Times had published a news article, titled “Wakenaam rice farmers’ woes”, highlighting the issue.

A team from the GRDB was dispatched to the area and the matter was investigated at length, following which GRDB General Manager Allison Peters had informed that all outstanding sums owed by miller Wazim Hoosein must be paid by July 21.

This miller was reportedly contacted, and following talks, agreed to liquidate his outstanding debts. The repayment is currently being monitored until the matter is resolved.

This publication had first reported that the Wakenaam farmers were calling for assistance from the authorities because a miller has failed to pay millions of dollars owed to them.

It was disclosed that Hoosein, of Jaichand, Essequibo, had in March reportedly purchased millions of dollars in paddy from the farmers, but was recalcitrant in paying his debt. This had left farmers in an impecunious state and both uncertain and unable to proceed with the next rice crop, until the money was paid to them.

Speaking with Guyana Times, the farmers had revealed that their lands had been ploughed, but they were awaiting payment to purchase fertilisers, pay bills, and pay their workers. The farmers had lamented the “advantage” being taken of them, as they had contacted Hoosein on numerous occasions but the miller kept ignoring their calls.

With their livelihoods at stake, the farmers had resorted to this newspaper to call for urgent assistance from the GRDB. This publication had contacted the miller, but upon hearing that farmers had reached out to this newspaper, he had terminated calls made to him and had made himself incommunicado.

A number of farmers who had reached out to this publication for assistance have been contacted, and some have revealed that they have indeed received the money owed to them. They also indicated that they would now proceed with the next crop.