– Minister Persaud says access to drinking water ‘ a  priority’
MINISTER of Agriculture Mr. Robert Persaud, on Saturday last,  held meetings with farmers of Mabaruma, Moruca and other outlining communities of Region One (Barima/Waini) to discuss and highlight the effects of the present El Niño weather conditions. The meetings also explored the necessary interventions needed to be made by the Government  as part of its countrywide efforts to ensure that losses incurred during this current drought-like conditions remain at a minimal.
The scheduled meetings saw a large number of farmers from – not only Mabaruma and Moruca – but other villages such as Kwebana, Assakata, Kumaka and Warapoka (all in Region One), coming together to share their views and ideas on how to make their crops and other livestock survive the dreaded effects of El Niño.
The minister listened attentively to a number of concerns and suggestions raised by the farmers and residents and sought to find immediate solutions to their urgent needs.
A critical, common concern raised by residents of the various communities is the lack of potable water.
A resident of Kwebana highlighted that most of the creeks in the area have dried up and the alternative ponds are now becoming ‘salted’. She stated that to get one bucket of potable water, she has to walk about one mile.
The woman said another pressing issue is the non availability of potable water at schools, which is affecting the school feeding programme in that region.
The Minister, in response, sought the assistance of  Assistant Regional Executive Officer (AREO) Ms. Cassandra Rodrigues to secure water tanks and pumps to make drinking water available to the affected residents.
However,  the AREO informed the minister that the task will be very time consuming and will not work out as the best solution,  given the ‘immediate need’ for potable water.
Rodrigues noted that, at present, the region is supplying water to the Hospital, Hostel and the Guest House, which takes an entire day. She suggested that hand pumps be made available for residents to use.
She also stated that the pond where the water is available is not conducive to health and as such will cause more severe problems.
Minister Persaud, however, did not abandon the initial plan, but stated that residents should find local solutions to bring relief.
After residents complained about ‘non functioning wells’ in the area, the Minister of Agriculture immediately made contact with his colleague Minister of Housing and Water Mr. Irfaan Ali, who reportedly assured that arrangements will be made to have ‘a team’ from the Guyana Water Inc. be present in the region by Wednesday.
Persaud noted that the El Niño weather condition is affecting the entire country and even other neighbouring countries. He said the drought-like conditions have been affecting Guyana for the past eight months and according to the forecast, a change in the weather pattern will be seen by the end of April.
He stated that even if the weather pattern should change, residents must ensure that they prepare themselves for the long term. He said the most important plan is to ensure that the food production is stable and farmers should plant produce that can live up to the present weather.
Persaud also advised the farmers to plant things like Cassava, Passion Fruit and Spices that can survive the weather conditions.
Almost every farmer in the region had the same problem with the present weather conditions; that is,  the lack of water to sustain the life of their produce. The farmers are requesting water pumps to make water available in order to produce more and sustain the needs of the residents.
While the Minister assured of the Government’s continued commitment and support, he charged the residents and the regional executives to plan and work together to ensure that a food shortage crisis does not arise in the region.
“This weather condition is something that we have to live with, so we have to adapt ourselves to it. We should not wait until El Niño comes then to plan. We need to plan ahead for this. Develop community plans to manage situations such as this so that you can ride this kind of problem and the best way to deal with this situation is to work together,” he posited.
Meanwhile, at another meeting in Mabaruma, the residents did not complain much about the lack of water, but raised concerns that the water might be contaminated since there was a recent out-break of diarrhea in the area.
The Minister informed residents there that a team from GWI will be present in the area to address the water problem as soon as possible.
The Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Mabaruma, Mr. Fermin Singh, also assured residents that water tanks will be made available at the schools and water supply will be given to residents twice per month.
Farmers there also raised concerns of their produce being affected by the weather and requested the assistance of the Agriculture Ministry in providing other plants that can sustain the adverse weather.
Minister Persaud assured the farmers that seeds for such plants will be made available and encouraged farmers to get involved in new activities as the weather progresses. He said his ministry has already given cassava machines, breading animals and water pumps to assist both farmers and residents.
While recognizing the concerns raised by farmers, the minister pointed out that few countries in the world provide free agriculture services and urged farmers to continue their collaboration with the sector in order to modernize and diversify the agriculture sector.