Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud challenged rice farmers to export their crop directly to Venezuela and reap more benefits from the opening of new market opportunities, at an outreach exercise held last Wednesday.
According to a Govern-ment Information Agency (GINA) press release, Persaud encouraged farmers at a field day activity “to exclude the millers and exporters and … receive better prices.” He also urged Mahaicony Rice Mill Limited (MRL) to hand over outstanding payments for paddy. He called on MRL to observe the rules and regulations under the Rice Factories Amend-ment Act, since its non-compliance will severely hamper the industry. He said farmers will continue to take action against the company if it fails to comply. “We do hope that with the favourable international markets, that millers will be punctual in payment as well as offer farmers better incentives. We will insist that the
