.jpg)
PRESIDENT of the Guyana Rice Producers Association(GRPA), Mr. Leeka Rambrich, says that despite minor challenges within the industry, it was agreed that millers should pay more for a bag of paddy. “At a recently held GRPA meeting, it was agreed that millers should pay farmers between $3,700 and $4, 000. Some of the millers agreed to pay $3,700, $3,800, $3,900 or even $4,000 per bag of paddy, and some of the farmers really appreciate it and they plan to go along with it. Before, they were paid at an average of $2,500 to $3,000 per bag. Farmers on the Essequibo Coast were paid $2,000, per bag. However, millers intend to reimburse farmers the pay difference on the current price,” Rambrich disclosed.
Commenting on the recent shipment of paddy to Venezuela, regarding the percentage of Berbice farmers exporting to the South American nation, Rambrich said that while he was unable to determine the quantum he is aware that the contract has a specification of tonnage – that is 80,000 tonnes of paddy along with 110,000 of white rice is expected to be exported for this year, which must be shared among all the millers countrywide.
“However, not every miller is exporting to Venezuela, some millers are exporting to Europe, Trinidad, Jamaica and other countries, where the prices are very low compared with the Venezuela price.”
Addressing the dissatisfaction of millers with respect to payments, Rambrich told the Guyana Chronicle that Nand Persaud Millers is one of the largest millers, and purchasers, in the county due to the fact that the business has expanded after the purchasing of the rice mill in Black Bush Polder.
However, despite the expanding business, the GRPA President noted that the largest purchaser had tendered for a small amount which was exported to Venezuela and it would be challenging for him to increase his payment for paddy from the farmers.
Meanwhile, during the last spring crop, 53,000 acres were cultivated, while for the current season 58,000 acres are expected to be harvested by the first week of July.
In recent months, rice cultivation has expanded to the East Bank Berbice with Koortbraath Village and other villages totalling 2,300 acres , while East and West Canje has 1,200 acres being planted .
On the issue of challenges, Rambrich noted that during the last crop farmers faced difficulty in accessing water to the field, but at the conclusion of the crop there was much rainfall, resulting in a lot of fields being flooded, bringing some losses.
Commenting on the recent shipment of paddy to Venezuela, regarding the percentage of Berbice farmers exporting to the South American nation, Rambrich said that while he was unable to determine the quantum he is aware that the contract has a specification of tonnage – that is 80,000 tonnes of paddy along with 110,000 of white rice is expected to be exported for this year, which must be shared among all the millers countrywide.
“However, not every miller is exporting to Venezuela, some millers are exporting to Europe, Trinidad, Jamaica and other countries, where the prices are very low compared with the Venezuela price.”
Addressing the dissatisfaction of millers with respect to payments, Rambrich told the Guyana Chronicle that Nand Persaud Millers is one of the largest millers, and purchasers, in the county due to the fact that the business has expanded after the purchasing of the rice mill in Black Bush Polder.
However, despite the expanding business, the GRPA President noted that the largest purchaser had tendered for a small amount which was exported to Venezuela and it would be challenging for him to increase his payment for paddy from the farmers.
Meanwhile, during the last spring crop, 53,000 acres were cultivated, while for the current season 58,000 acres are expected to be harvested by the first week of July.
In recent months, rice cultivation has expanded to the East Bank Berbice with Koortbraath Village and other villages totalling 2,300 acres , while East and West Canje has 1,200 acres being planted .
On the issue of challenges, Rambrich noted that during the last crop farmers faced difficulty in accessing water to the field, but at the conclusion of the crop there was much rainfall, resulting in a lot of fields being flooded, bringing some losses.
