I wish to respond to a letter on the above subject carried in the September 16, 2010 edition of the Stabroek News. Firstly, as a farmer, I must state that I do agree it is totally wrong and unacceptable when farmers are not paid on time by millers. However, I would like to highlight the options farmers have when this takes place.

The person spoke about the signing of a legal document to ensure payment. As a rice farmer I can say that measures have been put in place by the Government to ensure that payments are made to farmers on a timely basis. I wish to remind him of the sixth schedule of the Rice Factories Act, which has to be signed by both the farmer and the miller, and where the date of payment has to be stipulated according to the law.

This is a binding document between both parties that is intended to ensure compliance by the miller. In the case of non-compliance, the farmer is entitled to interest being paid to him for every day after the required date that the miller failed to pay him. So we can see he could still recover all his money once he chose to do the above.

In the event his cheque was not honoured, he could have reported it to the police for it is an offence to issue ‘bounced cheques’. I am sure the police would have taken action against the perpetrator. So here is a case where the farmer has failed to use the law to solve his own problem. I have known cases where representatives of delinquent rice mills were “locked up” for similar offences.

Having recognised that there are a few millers who consistently fail to pay farmers on time, the Government has taken the initiative to have a Bill passed where millers will have to place a security deposit in the bank. This will be used to pay farmers whenever the miller fails in his obligation to them.

In all cases where complaints have been received, the GRDB has been very active in pursuing them in all regions to ensure the farmers receive some level of comfort and satisfaction. I have known cases where GRDB officials have come to Region Two and met with farmers and millers. Over the past week, the General Manager himself was there two times to meet with farmers who did not receive payment from a specific miller.

The Quality Control Manager is currently in the region to meet with farmers on other issues. A field day was held in the region where farmers from other regions were able to look at how rice is being cultivated there. Officials from the Rice Research Station were there to interact with farmers. About 200 farmers participated in the event at Johanna Cecelia.

There are several mills operating in Region Two so it would be difficult to identify which mill the person is referring to. I am not sure why the matter was not taken up with the senior officials of the Board while they were there, if according to Mr. Bacchus, he did not receive a satisfactory response from the office in the region. I suggest that he contact the Head Office, where I am sure his matter will be dealt with in a speedy manner.

In closing I wish to state that I have had many interactions with the GRDB and they are always ready and willing to address whatever issues, whether field or mill, farmers are faced with. I wish to urge them to continue to keep up the good work.