More than 500 rice farmers in Region Three are expected to benefit from over $201 million in direct government support, as the Government moves ahead with a relief programme aimed at cushioning farmers from rising production costs and challenges in the global rice market.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha spearheaded the distribution of relief cheques to farmers on Tuesday during an exercise held at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora.
The initiative follows a commitment made by President Dr. Irfaan Ali during a consultation with rice farmers at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in April.
According to Minister Mustapha, 560 rice farmers from Region Three were registered under the programme, covering more than 15,600 acres cultivated during the last crop.
“We have 560 farmers who are listed, and they cultivated 15,636 acres of land during the last crop. In Region Three, we’ll be paying out $201,696,055. The total cost of the programme is $2.763 billion, which is direct cash to you, the farmers,” Mustapha said.
Under the relief programme, farmers cultivating 50 acres or less are receiving $15,000 per acre, while those cultivating more than 50 acres are receiving $10,000 per acre.
Minister Mustapha said the support forms part of wider government interventions to help farmers affected by declining rice prices on the world market.
He explained that the Guyana Rice Development Board has been waiving export commissions normally paid by millers, allowing farmers to receive better prices for their paddy. However, he noted that the Government has had to provide additional funding to the GRDB to offset its operational expenses.
“Since rice prices on the world market began to decline, we have forgone approximately $600 million. From that time to now, every single year, we have forgone the commission that the GRDB would usually charge millers for exports, almost $650 to $700 million annually,” Mustapha said.
The Minister also pointed to other measures implemented to reduce production costs, including fertilizer assistance and payments to farmers for paddy sold to millers.
“We also helped farmers with fertilizer. For every acre of rice planted last year, farmers received one bag of fertilizer per acre. In addition, for both crops last year, we gave farmers $300 for every bag of paddy sold to millers,” he added.
Despite ongoing challenges in the industry, Mustapha said rice production has grown significantly over the last five years, moving from 550,000 tonnes in 2020 to 825,000 tonnes last year.
He said that for the first half of this year, Guyana has already met its first crop target, producing more than 414,000 tonnes of paddy.
The Minister said Government is also working to secure new and more lucrative markets for local rice, with engagements involving countries such as Mexico, Haiti and Cuba, as well as continued efforts within CARICOM.
Turning to infrastructure, Mustapha said several farm-to-market roads have been completed, while others are being rehabilitated or are under construction in Region Three.
He also announced that the region is expected to benefit from additional drainage and irrigation investments, including another high-level canal and new pump stations.
“We have already constructed three new pump stations, and another four will be completed in the coming months. That means this region will have seven new pump stations in addition to the existing ones,” Mustapha said.
The Minister further disclosed that Government is looking to introduce drone technology to assist small-scale farmers, particularly as labour shortages continue to affect the sector.
He said the aim is to modernise rice production and ensure farmers benefit from improved technology, stronger infrastructure and continued market support.
