The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) says General Manager at the Mahaicony Rice Mills Brandon Barton has made a commitment that all outstanding money for the first crop would have been paid by yesterday and the second crop by January month-end.

The Mahaicony mill is the largest in the country and has the most money outstanding, according to a release from the GRDB.

Also, Saj Rice Inc “the other major defaulter” had committed to paying farmers small amounts and to increase this sum by the first week this month. It is expected that the company would complete payment by month end.

The GRDB is reminding all millers that the condition of the licence to manufacture rice including timely payment to farmers comes due today.

It said that over the last two months farmers had been experiencing difficulties collecting outstanding payments for paddy supplied to some rice mills.