RICE Producers Association (RPA) General Secretary, Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj said Tuesday that Mahaicony Rice Mills (MRM) has begun to pay farmers in Regions Five (Mahaica/Berbice) and Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) for paddy it purchased from them.

He told the Guyana Chronicle that, although the payments are being made in small sums and less than what the farmers expected, he is still hoping the company pays all the outstanding debts by month end.

Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud had, at a media briefing last week, said MRM assured him all the payments for 2008 will be made immediately.

He said the company also gave a commitment that urgent steps will be taken to clear its indebtedness to farmers for the 2009 first crop before harvesting of the second crop commences.

The company has since fulfilled its financial obligations to farmers in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) and reaping has started there, as well, but would be at maximum in all producing regions by next month end, Persaud noted.

He said MRM explained that, because of the global financial crisis, it has been experiencing some difficulty in accessing inflows from overseas sales.

According to Persaud, if MRM does not honour its pledge, Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has the power to make certain interventions, as a last resort. (Tajeram Mohabir)