THE Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, in a recent statement, commended the PPP/C government on its hard work to bring relief to rice farmers by ensuring a price of no less than $4,000 for paddy.

In its statement, the chamber pointed out that agriculture, particularly rice is the backbone of the economy of Berbice.
“The collective effort of the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Agriculture and farmers has seen remarkable increase in cultivation and production of rice,” the chamber said.
Noting that in 2024, 67,000 acres of rice was cultivated in Berbice, they pointed out that in 2025 this figure is projected to be a record breaking 78,000 acres.

“In 2024, countrywide production was 2,400,000 tonnes. In 2025, this is projected to be in excess of 3,000,000 tonnes,” the chamber related.
However, they then noted that farmers “have recently been agitating for assistance and the intervention of the Government of Guyana because of the 20 per cent decrease in the price per tonne of paddy locally.”

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, this week, announced that after consultations with the millers, farmers will not be paid less than $4,000 for paddy, and those farmers who have already sold will be repaid the correct price.

“The Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce wishes to commend His Excellency the President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha, for their proactive approach and prompt intervention to bring relief to our hardworking rice farmers.

“Through their intervention, an agreement has been brokered wherein the farmers would be guaranteed a minimum of $4,000 per bag of paddy from the millers with the government contributing (subsidising) at a rate of $300 per bag,” the chamber said.

The private sector body noted too that they viewed this as a concrete indication of the government’s commitment and dedication to sustaining and promoting agriculture and the wellbeing of farmers.