Rice farmers who received full payment appealing for ‘extra’ $500

Dear Editor,

Rice farmers in Region 2 have welcomed a decision taken on Monday, March 23, for some millers in the district to up the price of paddy by $500 per bag. With the increase, the price will now stand at $3,000 per bag as compared to $2,500 from the commencement of the current crop for which harvesting is still in progress.

Already in the south of the district inclusive of Huis t’ Dieren, Middlesex and Aurora, there was a mad rush to supply a mill trading under Sea Rice Caribbean Inc at Vilvoorden, all because of the prompt payment.

Despite100-odd farmers having already received full payment they are now earnestly appealing to benefit from the extra five hundred dollars which came about shortly afterwards. The affected farmers believe that the request is a reasonable one and are optimistic about receiving a favourable response which will cement a better relationship with the mill in the future.

This mill has the reputation of being the only one with a cash-on-delivery system, while the others were just accepting paddy on a pay-later plan.

When considering the extremely high production costs much more needs to be paid to the farmers, who are still appreciative of getting something more which is better than nothing. It can only be hoped that more will be done to improve the welfare of farmers by the millers whose progress in executing expansion works is evident all over the place.

 

Yours faithfully,
Mohan Dass