[www.inewsguyana.com] – Rice farmers who are owed for paddy by millers, began receiving payments on Thursday, March 20. Addressing hundreds of farmers at three public meetings across the Essequibo Coast today, Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said that rice farmers in the region (Region 2) are owed approximately $270M by two rice millers.
According to the Minister, the money was made available by Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and the Guyana Rice Development Board [GRDB] to millers so payments can be made.
The Minister assured that all farmers will received their full payment by the end of Friday, March 21. He said the total amount of money owed to farmers across the country is some $300m and explained that farmers in Region Two are owed the most which is some $270M.
The Minister told farmers that payments are in progress at Better Success, Anna Regina and Aurora. Minister Ramsammy lambaste millers for their irresponsibility in not paying the farmers and urged them to be more responsible.
Dr Ramsammy anticipates that the situation will be rectified by the end of the current crop.
