E’bo rice farmers getting higher rice price

Apr 15, 2018 News

Quite a number of rice farmers in Region Two [Pomeroon/Supenaam], are now sighing with relief and satisfaction, now that there has been a $100 increase in the price per bag of paddy. According to reports, farmers along the Essequibo Coast are now being paid $2,900 per bag of paddy graded from ‘A’ to ‘C’.
This increase follows an appeal made by farmers in early February, for better prices per bag of paddy. During the meeting earlier in February, one miller expressed his willingness to increase the price per bag of paddy to $3000.
President of the Essequibo rice farmers association, Naith Ram, has since confirmed that two additional millers on the Essequibo Coast are also paying $3000 per bag of paddy graded at Extra ‘A’. Naith Ram added, “so far, three of the large mills are paying $3000 for Extra ‘A’ paddy. Paddy graded at ‘A’ ‘B’ and ‘C’ are graded at $2,900 per bag.”
Since rice is often described as the core of the agro industry in Region Two, this increase is automatically recognized as a boost for the local economy. Kaieteur News understands that during the October 2017 harvest, farmers in Region Two were being paid $2,800 per bag of paddy graded at level ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’.
An overall assessment would indicate that the local rice industry in Region Two, has made a drastic recovery over the past three years. With the loss of the Venezuelan market in 2015, the price per bag of paddy was a mere $2000. According to reports however, rice exports shipped to Mexico and Cuba during the latter part of last year have definitely contributed to the sudden resuscitation of the local Industry in Region Two.

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