Since the El Nino weather conditions began, Government has been making timely interventions to safeguard the livelihood of farmers. Only recently, President Bharrat Jagdeo announced that a further $258M will be made available to support the Ministry of Agriculture’s relief efforts to farmers.

Among other interventions in agriculture areas affected, the money will be spent to provide planting materials for cash crop and other farmers, portable water tanks to communities in desperate need, acquisition and distribution of chemicals and pesticides.

Additionally, cattle farmers whose livelihood have been put at risk due to the extremely dry conditions have benefited from the distribution of feed and veterinary supplies.

Government’s response to the drought-like phenomenon which began in January was instantaneous. Since then, Head-of-State Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud have been meeting with farmers countrywide to discuss possible interventions as well as listen to their concerns.

Thus far, the Ministry of Agriculture has teamed up with the Ministries of Local Government and Regional Development and Amerindian Affairs to ensure that farmers in remote areas also benefit from government’s interventions. Officials from the Agriculture Ministry have been conducting outreaches countrywide, while a broad-based technical committee has been established with responsibilities for managing and distributing water in conservancies and canals.  Pumps have been installed in areas such as Vergenoegen, Bonasika, Den Amstel, Vreed-en-Hoop, La Jalousie, Canals Polder, Golden Grove, Victoria and Crabwood Creek.

Additionally, approximately $200M was spent to deploy mobile pumps on all sea shores. Two pumps are being used to pump water into the Boerasirie conservancy, while six pumps facilitate the pumping of water into the East Demerara Water Conservancy, Dawa and the Mibicuri and Corentyne areas.

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Water Users’ Associations have since been working closely with rice farmers to create a more localised monitoring committee to facilitate a functional system. 

A new canal has been cut from the Klusharabu creek, linking directly to the Perth Baibu canal. This immediate intervention was aimed at addressing and alleviating the impact of El Nino and cost government approximately $30M.

For the hinterland regions, over $49M has been earmarked to provide assistance to farmers and residents, while deeper wells have been dug in some villages where water is shallow.

Since the commencement of the drought-like spell, the Ministry of Agriculture has been issuing advisories to ensure there is a limitation to water used, since improper management of water usage can impact negatively on crops and livestock production.

Farmers are being urged to recognise the critical situation and give full support to government’s strategies. Government has taken a strong inter-agency approach to make this issue a priority.

The National Drainage and Irrigation Agency (NDIA) Board and other agencies have been mobilised and instructed to devise interventions to combat this situation.

In terms of agriculture, the  availability of irrigated water for the various crops still remains a challenge for the Ministry. To produce one pound of rice, 450 gallons of water is required and due to a 20-30 percent increase in cultivation along the coastland and in hinterland communities, the vulnerability of the current El Niño period is greater than previous drought conditions.

Currently, over 20 excavators are deployed around the country, along with 18 mobile pumps to bring relief to residents and farmers. Fourteen mobile pumps and 12 excavators were re-deployed to open new areas to access irrigation water so that while conventional  supplies from the conservancies are reduced, mechanical pumping will maintain original levels.

The Agriculture Ministry has been appealing to farmers to practice the use of water for irrigation purposes wisely, pay more attention to irrigation water quality, proper and correct mulching, and careful tilling of plants and trees.

They are also advised to practise shade cultivation, look for increases in pest population, avoid burning and take proper care of their livestock.

In addition, interventions included the:-

* Provision of irrigation services by the operation of the Dawa pumps, Capoey Lake, Lake Mainstay and the Golden Fleece Conservancy.

* Installation of four irrigation tubes and cutting of a new canal at Lima Sands.

* Excavation of Greenwich Park irrigation canal.

* Rehabilitation of the damaged Good Hope irrigation intake.

* Construction of ponds for cattle at Leguan.

* Sealing of breach on Lama/JR Canal

* Cleaning of irrigation canals at Garden of Eden, Helena No. 1 and No. 2, Golden Grove, Victoria, Hope, Ann’s Grove/Two Friends, Mary’s Hope, Melville, Huntley and Strathavon

* Provision of drinking water to residents of Abary.

* Sealing of all breaches to prevent salt water intrusion in the Bellamy Canal.

* Installation of irrigation pumps at Crabwood creek.

* Installation of mobile pump at Mibicuri pumping station.

* Operation of two pumps with one hydro flow pump, and the

* Installation of irrigation pumps at the Land Co-op Society area.

Over the years, Government has been steadfast in its efforts to expand the agriculture sector, despite challenges posed by dry weather or excessive rainfall; the Ministry has been heightening interventions to adapt and mitigate the effects of the changing weather phenomenon.

According to the latest forecast, El Nino should come to an end by the end of March.

Meanwhile, the Government has announced that further counter-El Nino strategies are to be initiated shortly. (GINA)