ALLIANCE for Change (AFC) member of the  Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Mr. Naithram, has called for Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and Rice Producers Association (RPA) extension field officers to be present at factories where farmers’ paddy is sold, to oversee the grading process. However, the GRDB, at Anna Regina, said quality control officers are placed at every factory buying the grains on the Essequibo Coast and they are always on the scene to ensure fairness.
Meanwhile, the RPA office at Anna Regina said its officers will, usually, do spot checks at mills to make sure purchasing and grading are done quickly and fairly.
Harvesting of paddy is in progress across the Essequibo Coast and farmers are receiving $4,000 per bag for grades A, B and C.
A total of 32,500 acres are expected to be harvested from this crop.