The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) is urging millers to pay rice farmers in a timely manner as late payments impede their ability to cultivate the next crop.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) the agriculture ministry said it is disappointed that such reports have come to light as over the years legal recourse had to be taken to ensure that farmers were paid. Millers were reminded that their licence must be renewed annually and becomes due on January 1, 2009 and those defaulting on payment face a penalty review.

The release said too that in accordance with the Rice Factories (Amendment) Act 2007 Section 6 ‘The 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 31 December (inclusive of that date).”

Millers are urged to meet with farmers regularly to explain their position and to expedite the payments to farmers by the end of December. This information must also be forwarded to the GRDB. Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud has directed the GRDB to work with farmers and relevant stakeholders to ensure this situation does not have a negative impact on the rice sector. Persaud also directed that the GRDB and will pay all legal fees if the farmers are willing to take legal action to ensure they receive their due. Farmers are asked to contact the District Rice Extension Officer in their respective regions with the relevant documents if they decide to take legal action.