Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

GRDB to review licences of defaulting millers

Nov 26, 2008 News

As reports of rice farmers’ plight with regards to the late payment for their commodity continues to surface, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) says it will be reviewing the licences of defaulting millers.
The GRDB has been receiving a number of reports that millers are taking longer than the time agreed upon to pay farmers.
Over the years, steps have been taken, including legal recourse, to ensure that farmers are paid in a timely manner.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Agriculture issued an advisory urging millers to meet with farmers on a regular basis to explain their position, and also to expedite the payments to farmers by the end of December.
The ministry, in its advisory, noted that it is disheartening that this problem has arisen once again.
The GRDB has been directed to work with farmers and relevant stakeholders to ensure this issue does not result in a negative impact on the rice sector.
Speaking with Kaieteur News, Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, said yesterday that he is troubled by the few millers who lapse in their payments to farmers.
The GRDB has been tasked, he said, with meeting those millers to ascertain their payment schedules, which should be concluded early.
“Not only legal action is being contemplated by farmers, but under the laws, there are other recourses, including suspension of license. Farmers are not bankers, and millers must ensure that financing  arrangements are sorted out.”
Millers were reminded through the advisory that the licence for milling rice is annual.
The Rice Factories (Amendment) Act states that “licensee’s total debt owed to the producers shall not, at any given time, exceed 5 percent of the licensee’s gross turnover for the preceding calendar year ending on December 31.”
The GRDB has also been directed to support farmers by paying all legal fees for farmers who are desirous of taking legal action to ensure their payments.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Rutherford gets big payday from Gujarat Titans at IPL 2025 Mega Auction; Shepherd, Powell snapped up by RCB and KKR, respectively

Rutherford gets big payday from Gujarat Titans at IPL 2025 Mega...

Nov 26, 2024

  SportsMax – Guyanese hard-hitting left hander Sherfane Rutherford will get the opportunity to shine on T20 franchise cricket’s biggest stage once again after being picked up by the...
Read More
Roach and Seales star as West Indies close in on Antigua Test victory

Roach and Seales star as West Indies close in on...

Nov 26, 2024

Delroy Tyrrell continues to excel at Oneonta State University

Delroy Tyrrell continues to excel at Oneonta...

Nov 26, 2024

Ramdass Royals Crowned Champions of the Inaugural Windies Masters Cricket Extravaganza

Ramdass Royals Crowned Champions of the Inaugural...

Nov 26, 2024

KFC Guyana distance self from delayed payment of GFF Elite League prizes

KFC Guyana distance self from delayed payment of...

Nov 26, 2024

Ravens and Royals ready for epic Elite 16 final showdown

Ravens and Royals ready for epic Elite 16 final...

Nov 26, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]