Irrrigation efforts pick up in Region 2 rice-growing areas
AS the prolonged dry weather continues to plague rice farmers in Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam), the regional administration has intensified irrigation efforts on the Essequibo Coast.
During a recent telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Regional Chairman, Mr. Ali Baksh explained that water is currently being pumped from the Pomeroon River, through the Dawa pump station, and into the rice cultivation areas.
With more than 32,000 acres of rice presently under cultivation in the region, the administration has received $2M from the Ministry of Agriculture to purchase fuel to continue pumping water into the affected areas, he revealed.
As to the progress made, he stressed that crops are not in any imminent danger and encouraged farmers to use the resource wisely to ensure that the integrity of the region’s crop is protected.
The chairman noted that recognizing the rice crops were in danger, the decision was taken a few weeks ago to release water into the rice fields.

Water is now being pumped from the Pomeroon River to the Tapakuma Lake and into the conservancy, so that the areas affected, including Aurora, Riverstown, Suddie and Golden Fleece are being irrigated.
The huge investment of $409M in May 2008 to renovate the Dawa pump station, which has a life span of 40 years, is benefiting about 2000 farmers, primarily those involved in rice cultivation; together the four pumps are providing drainage for about 50,000 acres of land.