$225M La Nina intervention programme to relieve farmers
MINISTER of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud has assured farmers on the East Coast Demerara that, through his ministry’s support, those affected would be able to get back into production.
He spoke at a meeting as several coastal areas were flooded due to the excessive rainfall, moreso in Mahaicony and Mahaica where sections of the river dams were overtopped following the opening of the Lama and Maduni sluices, which continue to drain excess water from the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) into the Mahaica Creek.
It was reported that the levels in the conservancy are manageable and progressively decreasing. However, up to yesterday, Mahaica Creek residents were still experiencing flood conditions.
One farmer, Ramkumar Mangru told the Guyana Chronicle that large areas are still impassable.
The Ministry of Agriculture, in the effort to relieve those farmers who have suffered losses, is expected to roll out a $225M La Nina intervention programme, with seed paddy, fertilisers, assistance to get access dams back in good condition, veterinary supplies, replacement of livestock, planting materials, chemicals and emergency drainage and irrigation (D&I) works.
Up to Monday, teams from the Ministry of Agriculture were in:
* Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), at Hague Backdam, Goed Fortuin, Canal Numbers One and Two;
* Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica), at Timehri, Soesdyke, Land of Canaan, Friendship, Enterprise, Bachelor’s Adventure, Victoria, Buxton, Annandale, Cane Grove, Supply, Belmonte, Unity and Greenfield;
* Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice), at Abary and Mahaica and
* Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), at Crabwood Creek, Black Bush Polder, Number 19, Canje and Sheet Anchor.
The support to farmers is critical because, economically, the agriculture sector contributes 35 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP); 40 percent of export earnings; 30 percent of the country’s workforce and is an important food source for the population.