More than 1400 rice farmers in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Friday received over $862 million in relief grants as the Government continued the nationwide rollout of its $3 billion rice farmer support programme. The distribution exercise was led by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha at the Bush Lot Secondary School, Corentyne, where farmers collected cheques under the initiative announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali earlier this year. According to the Agriculture Ministry, the more than 1400 farmers cultivated in excess of 74,000 acres during the first crop of 2026, making Region Six one of Guyana›s leading rice-producing regions. The subsidy programme fulfils a commitment made by President Ali during consultations with rice farmers at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) in April. Under the initiative, farmers cultivating 50 acres or less receive $15,000 per acre, while those cultivating more than 50 acres receive $10,000 per acre.

The nationwide programme is expected to benefit more than 5100 rice farmers cultivating over 235,000 acres across Guyana and was introduced to help producers cope with increasing global challenges affecting agricultural production, input costs and international markets. Addressing the gathering, Mustapha praised rice farmers for continuing production despite challenges in the global rice market. He said the Government remains committed to supporting the sector and ensuring farmers have the resources needed to continue production.

“Despite all the challenges facing the industry, our farmers continue to plant because they believe in farming, they believe in this sector, and they believe in the future of Guyana’s agriculture. Today, your Government is here to say we see you, we appreciate you, and we stand with you,” the Minister said.