Jul 8, 2026
3 min read
More than $1.1 billion is being distributed to over 1,300 rice farmers in Region Five to offset high production costs and boost yields for the current crop, as part of a government initiative to support the industry.
The disbursement follows a commitment made by President Dr Irfaan Ali after consultations with rice producers in April, as the sector continues to navigate global challenges affecting production, input costs, international markets and climate change.
Under the programme, farmers cultivating 50 acres or fewer are receiving $15,000 per acre, while those cultivating more than 50 acres are receiving $10,000 per acre.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who led the distribution, said it is in keeping with a promise made to farmers.
"This is not a charity nor is it for political favours. It is an investment in production, in food security and an investment in the people who continue to produce despite global uncertainty," he said.
The minister explained that the Government intervened to cushion farmers from falling international rice prices and rising production costs, caused by global market conditions and geopolitical conflicts.
Several recipients told Ignite News the intervention is timely, with many citing recent flooding that has delayed their return to the fields.
Rice farmer Mahendra Persaud, who has worked in the industry for about 30 years, said recent flooding had set back his crop and welcomed the funding as a means of clearing outstanding debts and resuming cultivation.
"This is what the President, the Minister of Agriculture and the GRDB are doing – a wonderful job to give us this finance to let us go back into the crop and clear our debts," Persaud said.
Rice farmer Devi Dindayal credited President Ali with keeping a promise made to farmers and thanked Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, whom she said had supported farmers since 2020, including during the 2021 floods.
Rice farmer Rakash Anand, who cultivates about 15 acres, said heavy rainfall has affected the lower-lying sections of his land and that the funding would help him purchase fertiliser.
Rice farmer Mohan Seebaran said the money would help offset the rising cost of fertiliser, adding that without the funding, farmers would be forced to purchase it on credit.
The initiative was launched in Region Two last weekend and has since been rolled out in Regions Three and Five. It will be launched in Region Six on Saturday. Nationwide, some $2.76 billion is being distributed to rice farmers across Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six under the latest cash grant initiative.
