In Region Three…

RICE and cash crop farmers in Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands)are the hardest hit by the El Nino weather phenomenon and the Regional Chairman, Mr. Julius Faerber said steps are being taken to help them.

He said, the problem developed since last year, particularly with irrigation throughout the region and it is critical for rice planters at this time when water is not in abundant supply.

According to him, teams have been doing excavation so as to ensure that the waterways are clear.

“In this manner, we will maximise water delivery to our farmers,” Faerber said, noting that work has been proceeding round the clock to make sure systems are in place to benefit farmers.

“We want residents to understand that we are trying our best to see how well we can supply water to the various areas. We have been working on our sea defences also, during the high tide, to avoid any flooding,” he reported.

However, Faerber acknowledged that because the situation is taking a toll on them some farmers have resorted to taking matters into their own hands.

“Farmers are tampering with structures. When you try to put water in one area, they would tamper with the structures in an effort to divert the flow to another area. These are some of the problems we have at this time,” he lamented.

Faerber said, to curb that practice, Police were alerted and ranks have been posted to monitor the structures that facilitate the water flow into the different plots of land.

“What we have is a ‘time run’ system. It allows sections of land to be watered at certain time. What the farmers do is manipulate the structures to have the water flow into their land,” he said.

Equitable

Faerber maintained that the system is an equitable one that will meet the needs of each farmer but all of them have to exercise patience.

“Everyone will benefit but it will take time and the cooperation of the farmers,” he stated.

Subsequent to reports, by the Hydromet Service of the Ministry of Agriculture and international agencies, that an extended dry period would prevail, a task force, inclusive of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) was established on August 14, 2009, comprising technical officers and other stakeholders, to assess the current El Nino conditions and implement interventions to reduce the impact on farmers countrywide and, as the weather prevails, the Ministry, recently, announced that Government has since spent in excess of $250M.

With that sum, pumps in several regions have been activated on a 20-hour basis, costing $3.2M daily, to address the lower water levels,

The money facilitates the operation of 23 pumps in Regions Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Three, Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Five (Mahaica Berbice) and Six (East Berbice/Corentyne).

In a statement, the Ministry said, in light of EL Nino prevailing, it has also provided financing to several other Regions for support in fulfilling farmers’ irrigation needs.

It said significant expenditure is being incurred to pump water into the East Demerara and Boeraserie conservancies and to operate irrigation pumps to maintain safe water levels and ensure the integrity of the dams.

The weather pattern is forecast to last through March and Agiculture Minister Robert Persaud said utilisation and management of water has intensified.