[www.inewsguyana.com] – Harvesting of paddy for the autumn crop has started on the Essequibo Coast. iNews understands a farmer has harvested the golden grains from his three acres plot at Reliance on Tuesday.
Most of the 37,500 acres under cultivation are in various stages of growth and harvesting is expected to be in full flow by mid – August. The weather on the Essequibo Coast is currently very hot and provides ideal conditions for harvesting.
The Region Two Administration Drainage and Irrigation Department will be chipping and leveling access dams in the rice growing areas so farmers can harvest and transport their paddy quickly to rice mills.
Some farmers who sold their paddy to millers during the last crop are still awaiting their payments. The farmers who protested several times at Anna Regina are not pleased with some millers who are taking very long to pay them for their produce without any interest after forty two days have passed.
The protest which turned violent with farmers illegally blocking the roadway at Reliance and Land of Plenty with their tractors and trailers caused nineteen farmers to be charged and placed before the court at Anna Regina for rioting.
President Donald Ramotar along with Agriculture Ministers Dr Leslie Ramsammy and others visited the Region and addressed farmers at two public meetings at Golden Fleece and Hampton Court on issues facing them in the rice industry.
Since the meetings, farmers have become quiet as usual doing their farming work and peace was restored.
This crop is expected to produce bountiful yields and farmers are anticipating good prices and faster payments for their paddy from millers.
