FOLLOWING the commencement of the harvesting of paddy for this crop, Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud is calling on all Regional Democratic Councils and other local government authorities to expedite their dam maintenance programme in rice growing regions.

This request followed representation made to Minister Persaud by concerned rice farmers and other stakeholders requesting maintenance of access dams to allow for effective harvesting, transporting of paddy and movement of equipment.

Minister Persaud is urging that this effort be expedited to ensure that available opportunity days to undertake works are maximized and to avoid further deterioration of the current state of access dams.

He is also requesting farmers and other users of access dams to cooperate with the authorities in the execution of these works.

Meanwhile, the Agriculture Minister would like to commend the efforts by the Region Six Administration and other regions that have already commenced their access dam maintenance programme in rice growing areas. (GINA)