Essequibo rice farmers have formed new association aimed at replacing the Rice Producers Association in championing their various causes. Naichram the newly appointed Chairperson of the Essequibo Paddy Farmers Association (EPFA) stated that the initiative was aimed at bringing resolution to the issues farmers have been protesting about for the past two weeks, such as low paddy prices, late payments and the overhauling of the paddy grading system.
The EPFA comprises a five-member executive and already has a $200,000 start-up which was contributed to by over 100 farmers in the Essequibo region.