–Cane Grove Farmers praise initiative

-by Celestine Chacon

A total of 374 rice farmers in Region Four today received financial assistance under the Government’s ongoing support programme for the rice industry.

Under the initiative, rice farmers cultivating 50 acres or less are receiving $10,000 per acre in financial assistance.

Over $113 million has been distributed to farmer’s right here in the Mahaica area today.

This initiative, spearheaded by Minister Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and fulfills a direct commitment made by His Excellency, President Dr. Irfaan Ali. Farmers welcomed the initiative, noting that the financial assistance will help them cope with current challenges facing the industry.

Somattie Hardawar said, “I think the government is doing a great job to empower women in the rice industry and it’s a learning experience…this will help me to help with my manure and poison and everything.”

Nandram Dookie, who has been a farmer for over 30 years, said, “This help here, this cheque will benefit me a lot because due to price of rice paddy and this is a great help and I’d like to help the government.”

Another farmer, Suraj Shiwsankar told NCN, “With the government help it would serve not only me but a lot of farmers countywide and with the high cost of input this will help farmers to go back and maintain With the government help it would serve not only me but a lot of farmers countywide and with the high cost of input this will help farmers to go back and maintain their business until next harvest.”

The initiative also received high praise from Nicholas George, who said, “It is good to help out the farmers because a lot of crops damaging and they have to go in their pocket some people might not have money to turn over back but little and little can help out.”

The initiative aims to assist rice farmers in addressing challenges posed by uncertain weather conditions, rising production costs, and uncertainties in the global Agri market.