As harvesting for the second crop of 2019 gains momentum, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) says that paddy prices have risen and farmers are being paid higher prices for paddy sold to mills.
As of yesterday, the GRDB said that millers were paying $53,830 to $41,526 per tonne of paddy. It said that when harvesting began a few weeks ago, paddy prices ranged from $46,140 to $40,000 per tonne.
The GRDB also said that the second crop paddy prices are higher than those paid during the first crop of 2019. At the close of the paddy intake period for first crop 2019, farmers were paid $50,754 to $30,760 per tonne.
Prior to the start of harvesting for the second crop, the GRDB said it conducted training of rice farmers to grade paddy and rice in all producing regions. The most recent training was held on the island of Wakenaam.
