President announces $2.7 billion support for rice farmers 

President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Wednesday announced that his government will continue to support rice farmers, stating that at least $300 per bag of paddy will be contributed.

In an interview ahead of COP30 in Brazil, the Guyanese Head of State reiterated support for farmers across the country. After assessing prevailing conditions, he said the government has decided to maintain its support for rice farmers.

“We will produce in this second crop more than nine million bags of paddy… and at a minimum, I can say to you now that we are going to give, like we did in the first crop, another $300 per bag.

“… so that will be an injection of more than $2.7 billion to our rice farmers,” President Ali told the News Room.

Over the past year, the government injected $1.9 billion into the sector, contributing $300 per bag of paddy sold to millers.

Other support for rice farmers included $2 billion in fertiliser to ease production costs. As a result, prices have climbed, with some farmers now receiving between $3,000 and $3,500 per bag. President Ali said these additional forms of support are still being provided to farmers.