HAITI’S decision to subsidise imported rice into the country increased tensions between farmers and the government with street demonstrations calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Jean Henry Ceant continuing to grow.

The government’s decision is partly an attempt to deal with a deepening economic crisis engulfing the country.

The Chamber of Agriculture and Professions of Haiti’s (Chagha) council opposed the government’s decision, reporting that the decision to subsidise will only strengthen monopolies and weaken local production.