Rice farmers in Essequibo have started another round of protest action as they complain about the price they are being offered for their rice. Some farmers picketed along the roadway on Friday morning pressing for their concerns to be addressed.

One farmer said they were being offered just $300 for a bag of paddy. He said “that is not enough money to even buy a Chinese food”. The farmers accuse the rice mills of not being fair with them when it comes to the price for their rice. They say the government needs to get involved and get the millers to pay them more.

The problem is not a new one and rice farmers have forever been calling for more attention to be paid to their concerns. Some of them have complained in the past about never receiving their money on time. Some millers have explained that though they would like to offer the farmers more money, they have to take into account other costs associated with the production of rice.

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