RICE farmers on Essequibo Coast owe Government $58.2M in drainage and irrigation (D&I) charges, according to a report presented to the Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) statutory meeting yesterday.

The forum was told the money is owed, by farmers, to five Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) for up to December 2007.

Payments from January 2008 are payable to the Waters Users Association (WUA) but some farmers are reluctant to pay the arrears and are purchasing new vehicles and other machinery each year, the compilation stated.