In Region Two…
THE Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Rice Producers Association (RPA), has commenced distribution of a $23M assistance package to rice farmers on Essequibo Coast who lost their crop in the recent El Nino crisis.
Minister of Agriculture, Mr, Robert Persaud told about 300 rice farmers, at a meeting in C.V. Nunes Primary School Annex, Anna Regina, on Saturday, that the disbursement will be done with vouchers for seed paddy and fertiliser.
He said some 2,000 acres of rice cultivation perished and Government will assist the victims with one bag of seed paddy per acre.
Persaud also announced that other crop farmers who suffered, as well, will  receive assistance, in the form of seeds and planting materials, from the Government at a later date.
After he handed over the first voucher to a farmer of Anna Regina, many others took the opportunity to engage him on several issues.
A similar exercise was conducted at Walton Hall Cricket Ground, also on Essequibo Coast and, following the receipt, many beneficiaries expressed their gratitude for the aid to resume their cultivation.
With Minister Persaud were Regional Chairman of Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Mr. Alli Baksh; Vice-Chairman, Mr. Vishnu Samaroo, General Manager of GRDB, Mr. Jagnarine Singh; Parliamentarian Mr. Parmanand Persaud, officers of the Regional Agriculture Department and GRDB and RPA field officers.