Essequibo farmers told of steps to cushion fuel cost

Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud on Saturday met with Essequibo farmers at the Affiance Multi-Purpose Centre to inform them of steps being taken in the agriculture sector to cushion the effects of rising fuel costs and to maintain drainage systems in order to maximise production.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release Persaud, in his address to farmers at Affiance, said government had stopped issuing licences to millers unless they had cleared 90% of their debt from the previous crop after farmers had complained about unfair prices. In addition to this measure farmers are benefiting from the increased prices on the world market and government is taking several other initiatives to cushion the effects of the rising cost of fuel and fertilizer worldwide.