By Kenesha Fraser
A meeting yesterday at the Anna Regina Town Hall, between Essequibo rice farmers and Minister of Agriculture, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, ended with the still disgruntled farmers who had requested the meeting, accusing the government of not keeping promises made and favouring a failing sugar industry.
Over the past two weeks, the Essequibo Paddy Farmers Association staged two protests in an attempt to highlight the plight of rice farmers in the county and in an effort to have farmers’ challenges addressed by either President Donald Ramotar or Ramsammy. Their wish was granted and three meetings were held at various locations along the coast yesterday.
Addressing the farmers, Minister Ramsammy said that the rice industry is an important one for the country and especially
