SCORES of rice farmers from several villages on the Essequibo Coast are owed millions of dollars by Mahaicony Rice Mills for paddy sold to the company at Viloorden since October 2011. They said the delay in their payments has caused serious financial problems to them, especially to cultivate their fields for the Spring crop.
One farmer, known as ‘Calloo’, said a commercial bank has added large sums as interest to his loan and he is frustrated because the lender has no mercy and is adding more to the amount borrowed every day while the miller who owes not paying him similarly.
However, he and others said they are happy to hear that Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy is seriously addressing the issue of long delayed payments by millers.
The complainants are calling for action to be taken against Mahaicony Rice Mills so they can be paid with interest.