The Ministry of Agriculture has set up a task force to work with the Region Five, (Mahaica/Berbice) Regional Democratic Council (RDCs) and farmers to improve irrigation to their farmlands in light of the prevailing El Nino type weather conditions.

At a well attended meeting convened at the Novar Primary School in Mahaicony yesterday, farmers complained that the dry weather has seriously affected irrigation of their rice fields and cash crops.

During the meeting, the farmers also raised other issues of concerns, including the incursion of salt water on their farmland.

The meeting which was a follow up on the ministry’s previous engagements with Region Five farmers, was addressed by Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud.

Also in attendance were Region Five Chairman, Mr. Harrinarine Baldeo; Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary (MMA) Chairman, Mr. Rudolph Gajraj; MMA General Manager, Mr. Aubrey Charles; National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lionel Wordsworth; and other officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the region.

Persaud told the gathering that the Government is aware of the current El Nino conditions, their impact on farmers and the MMA has been tasked to address the situation.

He disclosed that the NDIA and MMA have developed a plan to address the situation, but this requires the input of farmers and the RDC to identify critical areas for additional intervention in order to have the situation under control.

The plan includes the opening up of new channels to ensure better irrigation to farmlands.

The El Nino type conditions have not only visited Region Five, as the other regions are experiencing similar conditions as well.

In this regard, the minister informed the gathering that not all their demands will be met because the Government has to address the needs of the other regions, and has limited resources to do so.

He reminded the farmers that the situation at hand is linked to climate change which is characterised with erratic weather patterns.

Persaud observed in Guyana’s case, there are short intense spells of rainfall followed by long dry periods.

He said the Government will not underestimate the effects of the prolonged dry conditions, noting that the consequences can be equally devastating as when there is an extended rainy season.

On this point, Persaud urged farmers to use irrigation water wisely, not to tamper with drainage and irrigation structures, and should always have their colleagues in mind.

Addressing the issue with the salt water, Gajraj said the MMA is working to address the problem and he too appealed to farmers not to tamper with dams and D&I structures.

He pointed out that there is enough water in the Abary/Berbice channels, but the secondary system is choked and farmers will have work together to remedy this situation.

Charles said by tomorrow, the MMA will finalise a full programme to get around the problem in Region Five.