Since the announcement of a $258M emergency fund by President Bharrat Jagdeo to aid interventions for areas affected by the El Nino phenomenon, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud said several projects have already been implemented.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday with representatives of the Hydromet Office and the Agriculture Sector Development Unit (ASDU), Minister Persaud said these interventions included the acquisition and distribution of chemicals and pesticides, and seeds and planting materials, among others.
With animals also at risk, support has also been given to several herds of cattle with feed and veterinary supplies.
The Minister also disclosed that the waiving of drainage and irrigation charges and land rates is being examined but will have to follow a process of proper and careful verification of farmers most affected.
On Wednesday, about $600M worth of rice in the Mahaica/Mahaicony block was salvaged after teams of the Ministry of Agriculture successfully constructed a 4.2 mile long canal to link to the Pert Biaboo main irrigation canal in Region Five.
The canal enabled fresh water to be available to supply rice lands threatened by the El Nino phenomenon. Four excavators were mobilised and worked around the clock for this effort.
Minister Persaud said similar types of activities were undertaken in Region Six, particularly in Crabwood Creek, Black Bush Polder, and Manarabisi, (area considered most vulnerable to El Nino).
Through collaboration with the Ministries of Amerindian Affairs and Local Government and Regional Development, teams have also been travelling to the hinterland regions and will continue the venture to Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine in the coming weeks.
“The last two months alone the Ministry of Agriculture and technical staff would have conducted close to 130 such outreaches. These are important because we have taken the approach of working very closely with the farmers and those who are affected. Whatever interventions we do, these are based on the advice and result of consultation with farmers and other stakeholders,” Minister Persaud said.
Since the prediction by the Hydromet office last July about an El Nino phenomenon, the Agriculture Ministry reacted promptly with the establishment of a broad-based technical committee which Minister Persaud said has been an enabling factor in minimizing the impact of El Nino.
The committee which comprises representatives of the Ministries of Agriculture, Local Government and Regional Development, Amerindian Affairs and the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) was responsible for the promotion of better water management and distribution, particularly in the conservancy, clearing of waterways and installation of pumps.
During yesterday’s press conference Minister Persaud disclosed that the installation of a fourth pump to take water into the Boerasirie Conservancy in Region Three was successfully completed, while in Region Four similar steps were taken at the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC).
The Hydromet Service reported that most international climate models indicate that the current El Nino episode will be at its peak between January and February.
It is expected that during February to early April the current trends of reduction in rainfall is likely to continue over Guyana, with higher probabilities of drier conditions.