GOVERNMENT intervention has led to 10 rice farmers on the Essequibo Coast receiving payments for paddy sold to miller Wazir Hussein four harvests ago.
Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud who made the disclosure to scores of farmers, at a public meeting in Anna Regina Town Hall last week, said Government took a proactive approach to resolve the long outstanding issue.
According to him, when Hussein exported his paddy, his money was withheld so farmers he owed could have been paid and the 10 beneficiaries were presented with cheques to the value of $15.2M.
About  other sums due by Mahaicony Rice Mills and Golden Fleece Rice Mills Investments, Persaud said the Government is very concerned about the delay and warned that the full force of the law will be applied.
He said his ministry is contemplating tougher policy to have millers make security deposits before purchasing farmers’ paddy.
Persaud said the focus is to tighten the paddy purchasing agreement so farmers can be protected.
Mahaicony Rice Mills at Vilvooden and the Golden Fleece Rice Mills Investments owe farmers millions of dollars for paddy bought during the last crop and the Minister instructed Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and Rice Producers Association (RPA) officials to ensure that the companies resolve the payment issue quickly.
Persaud demanded that the companies get their act together and run their businesses properly.
GRDB General Manager, Mr. Jagnarine Singh is scheduled to meet with top officials of the two companies today and then with farmers at Anna Regina Seed Bond to inform them about the outcome.