Rice producers warn harvest at risk

[NewsWhore]

The president of the National Federation of Rice Producers, Ivan Tio Pimentel, has repeated his warning that the next rice harvest, the 2011 winter harvest, is in danger of being lost due to a lack of economic resources in the sector. He stressed that the existence of large inventories, production cost increases, a reduction in the sales to wholesalers and arrears in the payment of the pledges are leaving the sector without money. Tio Pimentel complained that the national pledging or mortgaging program implemented by the government in order to stabilize the marketing and sales of rice, has led to arrears in interest payments approaching RD$900 million, stretching from 2009 to 2011. The association president added that this lack of resources is putting rice producers under pressure and creating distortions in their sales, as they are being forced to sell their crops to the rice millers and are taking a loss. He said many of the rice millers were also late in paying for the spring harvest and the supply chain itself is being affected. Tio Pimentel called on President Fernandez to help stabilize the market and guarantee self-sufficiency in rice for the country.

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