Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud Saturday , during an engagement with Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam) farmers, disclosed that no financial assistance package has been decided on to support farmers affected by the floods caused by the recent excessive rainfalls. However, he noted that those affected have the technical experts operating in the agriculture sector at their disposal.
Persaud announced too that famers who have lost animals in the floods will be supported by the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) with animals to buffer their losses.
A similar form of support, he noted, will be extended to crop farmers who can expect planting materials to support their agricultural undertaking.
“We will be assessing the situation and if we can, then the assistance package we give will be across the board and not to a few farmers,” he said.

Current Emphasis
The current emphasis, he said, remains on stabilising the situation so that damage can be at a minimum.
Guyana is in the La Nina phenomenon phase, which is expected to last until the end of March this year.  La Nina is simply above average rainfall in a particular area for a particular period of time and is generally associated with dryer areas.
Statistics from the ministry’s Hydromet office indicate that the usual average for February is between 100 and 122 millimeters (mm), but in the last month, this limit has been exceeded on three occasions, where there was excessive rainfall over a 24 hours period – the obvious impact of climate change.
The many initiatives of the Agriculture Ministry are aimed at minimising the impacts of the La Nina phenomenon.
For more information on the weather the Ministry’s hotline numbers are: 223-7291, 227-5049 or text messaging at 691-000 and website www.agriculture.gov.gy.