$300 per bag to be paid directly to rice farmers, says Minister Mustapha

Payment for the government’s support to rice farmers for the second crop will be made directly to farmers, rather than through millers, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said Saturday during a meeting with rice farmers in Region Six.

“The President announced that for every bag of paddy sold this crop, we will contribute $300. With the projected harvest of almost nine million bags of paddy, the Government will contribute about $2.7 billion to assist farmers,” Mustapha said.

He explained the change in payment process, citing previous issues.

“We will not do it how we did it the last time. I instructed the GRDB (Guyana Rice Development Board) not to give the millers the money anymore. Based on the number of bags of paddy you sold, we will pay you directly with a cheque from GRDB. Last time, some millers fooled people and some farmers didn’t get their share, so we will get the records and we will work with that.”

At Black Bush Polder, where 22,000 acres of rice are currently cultivated, Mustapha highlighted the importance of government support in sustaining the livelihoods of rice farmers. He noted that Region Six planted approximately 62,000 acres for the second crop this year, following 73,000 acres earlier in the year.

“Last crop, we gave rice farmers across the country $1.9 billion directly in cash — $300 for every bag of paddy sold — because the price was low. We made sure to bring it up to around $4,000 per bag. We also provided fertilisers and chemicals — all contributions from the government — to ensure that you, the farmers, benefit,” Mustapha added.

The minister expressed optimism about the future of the rice industry, saying he hopes that by next year, global rice prices will improve, allowing farmers to earn more.