Regardless of how the money is split there will be dissatisfaction among some people. If I were in charge this money, I will distribute it as follow with justifications.

To cultivate one acre of paddy, one will spend $60,000. He should harvest 30 bags of paddy at $2,500 per bag. I am assuming that $60,000 per month will be enough to sustain his family. I am considering 6 months for this crop.

With the above numbers the farmer should make $15,000 if he cultivates one acre. This will mean that he will have to be subsidized to the tune of $345,000. Discounting $15,000 per acre, at 25 acres the farmers will be making equivalent of $360,000. So anyone who cultivates above 25 acres should not be offered any money.

I know for a fact that the Caribbean Rice Association (CRA) office along with the Rice Producers Association (RPA) had done an inventory on farmer’s and the amount of land they own.

If by chance there is any money left over from the $400 million, then I will allocate this towards bringing down the cost of inputs for the next crop.
BENI SANKAR