AGRICULTURE Minister, Noel Holder on Wednesday visited several affected villages within the Capoey, Winsor Castle, Devonshire Castle and Queenstown areas to ascertain the flood damage so far, and to ensure that current works by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) are moving apace.During the visit, the Agriculture Minister was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. George Jervis, Chief Executive Officer, NDIA, Mr. Lionel Wordsworth,

General Manager, Guyana Rice Development Board, Mr. Jagnarine Singh and Chief Executive Officer, National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute, Dr. Oudho Homenauth. The team met with several affected farmers and got a firsthand look at the situation.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, over 1,000 acres of rice lands have been affected by the floodwaters which accumulated in the backlands over the past several days. Excessive rainfall overnight had aggravated the situation.
ISSUES RAISED
Among the issues raised by farmers included the failure to desilt the clogged outfall canal, blocked internal drainage and illegally-installed tube pipes by some farmers which contributed to farmlands being under water.
“The agriculture sector as a whole has played an integral role in the Guyana’s development and it is of paramount importance to the Administration that we maintain food and nutrition security for all…we are working around the clock to ensure that the water recedes and in a timely manner, Minister Holder said.
He added that while immediate intervention measures are being undertaken by the Government through the NDIA, the Cabinet will be looking at a holistic approach through a long-term plan to have the situation addressed.
Two pontoons with excavators were deployed to the Windsor Castle and Capoey areas to desilt the clogged outfall canal which residents stated were neglected by the previous administration.
During the visit, engineers along with mobile pumps were deployed to the area and are working around the clock to have the situation return to normalcy.
“We (Government) will ensure that all possible alternatives are put in place to ensure that we bring relief to farmers….thus far six mobile pumps have been deployed and are working on a 24-hour basis, however I implore that you be the watch guard and hold the workers accountable as you are the ones who stand to benefit,” the Minister said.