PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC—Rice farmers have expressed their disappointment that a financial compensation package of SRD70 million (one SRD = US$0.03 cents) will not be paid out until October.
The paddy farmers met with President Chandrikapersad Santokhi on Tuesday. While an agreement was reached on the compensation package, they had earlier called for payment to be made as soon as possible.
Under the compensation package, farmers who have sown between 0 and 50 hectares (ha) will receive SRD 3,500 per ha, while those with 50 – 100 ha will receive SRD 3,000, and those above 100 ha and up to a maximum of 150 ha will receive SRD 2,500.
Farmers who have plowed but could not sow will receive compensation of SRD750 per ha.
Earlier this month, the Nickerie Paddie Growers Interest Group (NPGIG) had written to President Santokhi to request a meeting to discuss a wide range of issues, including a probe into what they allege to have been fraudulent acts committed by the staff at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV).
The farmers said in their letter that fraudulent acts were committed in the registration lists, which included double registrations of plots. Plots not sown have been registered as having been sown, and plots where livestock farming and horticulture are practiced are registered as sown.
A statement issued following Tuesday’s meeting said that President Santokhi will visit Nickerie this weekend after the farmers asked him to consult with the millers and buyers for a better paddy price this season.
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