The Ecuadorian government announced a major initiative to support local rice farmers by purchasing 20,000 tons of paddy rice directly from producers. This decision, made by President Daniel Noboa during a meeting with small and medium producers in Daule, Guayas province, marks the largest bulk purchase of rice by a government in the country. Noboa emphasized the importance of supporting farmers amidst their current challenges and indicated that the administration would also address issues with rice mills that exploit these producers.

In his address, President Noboa highlighted other support measures initiated by his administration, which include the distribution of over 7,500 livestock support packages at a cost of $5.1 million and the assurance of more than 62,000 hectares through subsidized policies, totaling around $2.1 million. The government's approach appears to be a multipronged strategy aimed at revitalizing the agricultural sector and ensuring the sustainability of local farming in Ecuador.

This initiative may have significant implications for the local agriculture market, as it seeks to eliminate intermediaries that can drive down prices for producers. By purchasing directly from farmers, the government hopes to stabilize the income for rice growers and contribute to food security within the country. It also raises questions about the role of rice milling companies and their practices, which the government intends to monitor closely as part of this comprehensive agricultural support strategy.