Rice farmers in Region Two have begun receiving from millers, the monies they were owed from the last crop.
According to information reaching Stabroek News, farmers have started to receive payments for their paddy from Golden Fleece Rice Investment. This publication was told that the government through the Ministry of Agriculture assisted a popular rice miller, Nazeemul Hakh with the sum of $400 million as an advance payment in order for him to pay rice farmers.
However, while some farmers were given cheques, others were given later dates to collect their payments.
The rice farmers who received payments were those who sold paddy to the mill during the months of February and March this year.
The payments follow a promise made by President Donald Ramotar when he visited the Essequibo Coast on Sunday last.
The President had told the rice farmers that all necessary actions would be taken to assist rice millers to make all outstanding payments.
Essequibo rice farmers mounted several protests over the past few months over non-payment from millers for paddy supplied as well as issues with regard to drainage and irrigation.
The last protest went into the night and saw the farmers blocking the road and burning tyres. The police were involved and some 17 farmers were subsequently arrested and charged with various offences.
The matter is currently before the court.
