In an effort to boost the rice industry in Region Two, Government is mulling a 35 per cent reduction in ferry costs for millers, among other initiatives, on the condition that savings realised must be passed on to the farmers who yesterday complained about paddy grading and prices.
The announcement of the transportation ease was made by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha when he met separately with farmers and millers to listen to their concerns. According to a Ministry of Agriculture release yesterday, the meetings were a result of requests by farmers, millers, and regional officials from Region Two for government to assist with issues faced in the rice sector on the Essequibo Coast
During the meetings, Mustapha informed both farmers and millers that government was prepared to offer concessions that could see farmers benefiting from improved prices for their paddy.