GUYANA has been experiencing intense rainfall over the last few weeks, which is putting pressure on the drainage system and ultimately agriculture in the coastal areas.

This is compounded by the dumping of refuse into the water ways and also the siltation of several outfalls caused by the pounding waves which results in less natural draft time and excessive pumping hours to try to get the waters off the land.

I have seen prior to and during this rainy season the NDIA deploying excavators to dredge several outfalls and drainage canals country wide to aid in the effective drainage of flood affected areas. This is also supplemented by the visits by various government officials including President Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister Robert Persaud, engineers and other staff of the Ministry of Agriculture visiting the areas making assessments of the damages caused by heavy rainfall resulting in the accumulation of water in a number of village in Regions No. 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Despite the losses that farmers may encounter, I am pleased as a farmer to know that the government has made provisions to provide assistance to legitimate farmers who have been affected by this natural phenomenon of high intensity rainfall coupled with the effects of climate change.
ERICA SMITH