Rice farmer Vijai Lachminarine, who has been cultivating rice for the past five years, expressed gratitude to the government after receiving financial support on Friday to advance her operations.
She was among 1,484 rice farmers from across East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) who collectively received $862.9 million in cash grants as the government continues to provide targeted support to strengthen the country’s rice industry and help farmers recover and reinvest in production.
“I’m very happy to receive this cheque because it will help us go back and cultivate again… I’m thankful for it,” she told the Department of Public Information (DPI) following the distribution exercise at Bush Lot Secondary School.
Lachminarine described the assistance as timely and thanked President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali for the initiative.
Nandkishore Tagram, who began cultivating rice during the last crop and currently farms 29 acres, welcomed the grant, saying it will assist in cushioning the high cost of land preparation.
“It is a very good initiative, and it is going to help a lot…and go a long way,” Tagram noted. explaining that the funds will be used to plough and rehabilitate sections of his fields that could not be accessed previously, allowing him to resume cultivation.
Similarly, Bryan Brush, a veteran rice farmer with more than 50 years of farming experience, expressed gratitude after receiving his cheque, describing the support as a welcome boost that will aid all farmers in returning to their fields and continuing production.
He explained that the initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to the farming community, and it is appreciated.
Delivering remarks during the distribution exercise, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the rice industry, noting that agriculture remains a central pillar of Guyana’s development agenda despite the country’s rapid economic transformation.
“Today is about recognising the partnership between the government and the farmers. Today is about saying that the people who feed our nation will never be forgotten. As long as farmers are willing to work the land, this government will always stand with you,” Minister Mustapha stated.
He also underscored ongoing investments in drainage and irrigation infrastructure, climate resilience, market expansion and integrated farming to ensure the long-term sustainability and profitability of the rice sector.
The minister encouraged farmers to embrace diversification alongside rice cultivation, while assuring them that the government will continue to secure new export markets and invest in infrastructure that strengthens agricultural productivity.
The distribution forms part of the government’s nationwide rice farmer support initiative, through which 5,106 farmers cultivating 234,919 acres will benefit from a total investment of $2.763 billion.
The Region Six distribution follows similar exercises in Regions Two, Three and Five, with Region Four expected to conclude the nationwide programme.