– Agriculture Ministry holds consultations with rice millers on current crop

AGRICULTURE Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, accompanied by Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Vikash Ramkissoon and Minister within the Office of the President responsible for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, met with rice millers on Tuesday to discuss matters relating to the current rice crop.

During the meeting, Minister Mustapha highlighted the PPP/C Government’s significant investments in the rice sector over the past five years, noting that these initiatives have contributed to increased production and improved yields nationwide. He also reminded millers that current market prices for rice have remained largely consistent with those of the previous crop.

Millers, however, raised concerns over the declining world market prices, stating that the trend has affected their ability to remain competitive with other major rice-producing nations. Minister Mustapha assured participants that consultations with farmers and millers would continue, stressing the government’s commitment to ensuring farmers receive favourable prices for their paddy.

Speaking virtually, Dr. Singh emphasised that the rice industry is a long-term sector with challenges such as marketing, but players should focus on sustainable growth rather than short-term gains. He stressed that both the government and millers share a vested interest in keeping rice farmers in business to sustain the sector’s growth.

Minister Mustapha further announced plans to meet with farmers across the country in the coming days to discuss challenges and explore opportunities for the industry.

Earlier this year, the government invested approximately $2 billion in fertiliser subsidies, while for the first crop of 2025, over $1.9 billion was allocated to guarantee farmers received no less than $4,000 per bag of paddy, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to protecting livelihoods and sustaining rice as a key pillar of Guyana’s agricultural sector.