Following weeks of negotiations between President Dr. Irfaan Ali, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Guyana Rice Development (GRDB), and local rice millers, an official agreement was inked today that will see rice farmers receiving no less than $4,000 for a bag of paddy for the first crop of 2025.
This was disclosed by Agriculture Minister, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, during a meeting with rice farmers from Mahaica.
During the meeting, Minister Mustapha told the farmers that President Ali had engaged the rice millers on several occasions after farmers raised concerns about the prices being offered for paddy for the current crop.
“The President engaged the millers on several occasions to determine how we can work together to keep the price of paddy at a stable rate. The millers were a bit reluctant to maintain the last crop’s price because they said it is being influenced by the world market price.
“Today, we were finally able to reach an agreement where the millers will not purchase farmers’ paddy for less than $4,000 per bag. This means we’ll also have to make a contribution,” he explained.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali, during his address at the 55th Republic Anniversary Flag Raising Ceremony, had said rice production has increased significantly and that the government has been investing to upgrade the infrastructure to support enhanced production and ease the burdens on farmers.
“Guyana’s agricultural sector has achieved significant milestones. Rice production has expanded, with more than 227,000 acres under cultivation producing more than 600,000 metric tonnes annually, supported by high-yield seed varieties.
“Over $70 billion has been spent on improving infrastructure to support enhanced production, higher yield, and ease to the burdens of our farmers. As a government, we will continue to evaluate global situations, including price changes and price differentials…,” President Ali noted.
Minister Mustapha also disclosed that for the first crop of 2025, approximately 230,000 acres of land were cultivated, and approximately 9,000,000 bags of paddy are expected to be harvested. He also said that rice production for this year is projected to be 804,000 metric tonnes.
He told the farmers that the government has been making the necessary investments to transform the agriculture sector, adding that this PPP government has never abandoned or neglected farmers.
In 2024, rice production surpassed its target and reached an all-time high of 725,282 metric tonnes, representing a record-breaking milestone in the country’s agriculture sector.
