RICE harvesting has begun in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), with farmers in the South of Essequibo Coast in Aurora, Riverstown and Perseverance being the first to reap.
Those planters said the drought-like weather condition is ideal for reaping and they are making full use of the opportunity, to also transport the produce to  factories.
But those in Central Essequibo Coast at Anna Regina and Coffee Grove and the North, Devonshire Caste and New Road still lack adequate water to irrigate their fields.
Meantime, the prices being offered by millers for the grains are not satisfactory to the producers, between $2,000 and $2,500 per bag of paddy.
They feel $2,500 for a bag is a very low price and cannot compensate them for production costs and additional expense for irrigation.