Region Two’s rice farmers have started harvesting their crops and remain hopeful that they will receive a good price and prompt payment from millers.
Harvesting has commenced in the extreme north and some sections of the Essequibo Coast. Farmers in villages such as Golden Fleece, Abram Zuil, Aberdeen, Better Success, Colombia, and Somerset and Berks have been utilising the sunny weather conditions to transport their harvests from the fields and taking them to leading mills in the region.
Several rice farmers in the south of the coast, who have almost one week more for their fields to ripen, have told Stabroek News that they are “clueless” as to the price that will be given by millers. Dyal Singh, a rice farmer from Golden Fleece, said rice farmers most times take their harvests to millers without even knowing the price.
“Every crop is one thing — you take your harvest to those who buy and the closest miller. Whenever you see your cheque and your grades, then you will know the price. Most times farmers just take the paddy hoping to be paid good and promptly” Singh related.
Farmers are therefore calling on the Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha to set up a meeting between them and millers as was done during the previous crop, which resulted in many of them receiving prompt payments for their paddy.
While farmers believe that the prices offered should fairly compensate them for their efforts in the fields, millers told this newspaper that prices for a bag of paddy are usually determined based on prices offered on the international market.
Aadil Baksh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Imam Bacchus and Sons Limited, said that the mill has started purchasing paddy. He related that their price as of September 7 is $3,200 for extra A grade paddy and just below that amount for lower grades.
He, however, said based on experience the pricing for paddy is often driven by the prices offered internationally and it depends on the contract, and as such a miller cannot commit to a price unless he/she has an international contract.
Golden Fleece Rice Investment, owned by Nazeemul Hakh, has also been buying paddy but this newspaper was unable to confirm the prices.
Region Two is predominantly a rice-growing area with over 35000 acres under rice cultivation.
