The government and representatives of the country's rice growers are making progress in finding a solution to the farmers' strike, which has lasted eight days.

The government, led by the Ministers of Agriculture, Martha Carvajalino, and Commerce, Industry, and Tourism (MinCit), Diana Marcela Morales, along with representatives of the country's rice growers, Oscar Gutiérrez, of Dignidad Agropecuaria; Luis Enrique Melo, president of Dignidad Arrocera; Carlos Alberto Rojas and Gabriel Nuñez, among other delegates of the Rice Strike Committee and industry leaders, continued meeting this Monday at the MinCit headquarters in Bogotá, seeking an agreement that would put an end to the strike and the blockades of some of the country's main roads, which have now lasted eight days.

Since midday, both sides have been sitting at the negotiating table to resume the talks that had been suspended the previous week, after representatives of the farmers decided not to continue their discussions in the absence of the ministers. The ministers indicated that they would not sit down to negotiate until the roadblocks were lifted.

The impasse was resolved Friday night with a preliminary agreement, which included the government's commitment to issue an administrative act establishing a regulated freedom regime to define a minimum reference price for green paddy rice.

"We held a meeting with Induarroz and Fedearroz, representatives of the industry and producers, which allowed us to chart a course to ensure the rice supply chain guarantees fair prices and delivers products to homes," Carvajalino said at the time.

At the meeting taking place this Monday, the first point discussed was the price of rice, with no final decision yet on this issue. This is one of the main points in the list of demands that farmers have submitted to the government.

The meeting began with a message of optimism from the ministers, who expressed confidence that they would be able to reach an agreement with the country's rice growers on most of the points to be discussed.

"I believe we have all managed to demonstrate willingness and determination, and I think that is very important for reaching agreements and concrete points. We will have differences, and that is why we will also have to find a way to find answers," said Minister Carvajalino at the opening of the dialogue table.

For her part, Minister Morales emphasized that "the search for solutions must focus on the structural aspect of the (rice) chain and that all stakeholders must be willing and reach a consensus to strengthen the chain."

As you may recall, the country's rice farmers have long urged the government to immediately regulate rice prices, arguing that they are producing at a loss due to low market prices.

"We demand the adoption of a national policy to regulate the price of green paddy rice at the point of purchase, ensuring a fair price that reflects production costs and a profit rate for the producer," the farmers state.

They insist that all members of the rice chain—producers, manufacturers, marketers, and distributors—must be adequately compensated for their work.

They also demand that the Executive comply with the agreements reached last March, following the mobilizations of that month, among which the expansion of the beneficiaries and the payment of marketing support stand out.

Implementation of a rice FAIA that covers all grain producers who require it.

They also demand effective control of imports and smuggling, as well as the renegotiation of free trade agreements (FTAs).