Latest update December 17th, 2024 3:32 AM

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

Latest News

Rice Factories (Amendment) Bill now in force

Jan 12, 2010 News

– Millers have two weeks to pay 50% to farmers

New legislation aimed at protecting rice farmers will now force millers to pay for paddy within 42 days of being supplied as stipulated by the Rice Factories Amendment Bill.
The Bill, No. 35 of 2009, was assented to by President Bharrat Jagdeo on December 22, last, after being tabled in the National Assembly on October 15 and passed on October 22, 2009, after three readings.
Millers have a period of two weeks to pay 50 percent of total sale to individual farmers as opposed to just 50 percent of total paddy sale.
They are also granted an additional 42 days to pay the remainder; failing which they face the possibility of having their licence revoked.
The Bill amends the Rice Factories Act 1998 with Clause two seeking to ensure that millers owe no farmer over five percent of the paddy supplied unless approved by the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).
Clause Three amends the schedule of the Principal Act by providing a specific timeframe within which to pay the farmer for the paddy sold.
Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, said Government has a moral obligation to institute legislative provisions to protect its vulnerable population.
He added that in the rice industry, farmers are more vulnerable than millers, as they face greater risks due to uncertain weather patterns, pests, diseases and other related difficulties.
Minister Persaud explained that the amendment is not intended to impede the free market system but rather to support the arrangement while implementing the necessary regulations to protect key players in the industry.
The Minister noted that the amendment is very timely since the industry has been making tremendous strides.
“Our industry has successfully risen from the ashes of neglect, mismanagement and hopelessness,” he said.
Production in the industry was approximately 90,000 tons years ago; export 28,000 tons and earnings were US$26M per annum.
The Minister disclosed that for 2009, rice yielded the highest production in history with about 5.2 tons per hectares, while export earnings competed with that of sugar.
Two new varieties of rice were also introduced in 2009 addressing the issue of quality and low production yield.
The rice sector has also introduced state-of-the-art grading and packaging facilities with rice exported to Europe, North America and the Caribbean.
The Minister added that this amendment will gear the industry with a needed tool to address current as well as future challenges.
The amendment was supported by General Secretary of the Rice Producers’ Association (RPA), Dharamkumar Seeraj, who said that the amendment is government’s response to ensure farmers are given a fair deal.
He added that the amendment was drafted and taken to the National Assembly after widespread consultations with both the farming and milling communities.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Sammy to be appointed as West Indies Senior Men’s Head Coach for all formats

Sammy to be appointed as West Indies Senior Men’s Head Coach for...

Dec 17, 2024

SportsMax – West Indies white ball Head Coach Daren Sammy will also take over the role as head Coach of all West Indies Men’s senior teams as at April 1, 2025, Cricket West Indies (CWI)...
Read More
Bangladesh hold nerve to defend 148 and take 1-0 T20I series lead over West Indies

Bangladesh hold nerve to defend 148 and take 1-0...

Dec 17, 2024

YBG’s Titan Bowl XIII and Tertiary Knockout feature nail-biting encounters on penultimate day

YBG’s Titan Bowl XIII and Tertiary Knockout...

Dec 17, 2024

Chris Dehring appointed Chief Executive Officer of Cricket West Indies

Chris Dehring appointed Chief Executive Officer...

Dec 17, 2024

Dharry’s Pre-World Title Fight Promises to be Best Boxing Event of 2024

Dharry’s Pre-World Title Fight Promises to...

Dec 17, 2024

Blueberry Hill hold defending champions Milerock to 2-2 stalemate, Botafago thrash silver Shattas 7-0 on opening night

Blueberry Hill hold defending champions Milerock...

Dec 17, 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 […]