AS the world’s population continues to grow, the issues of food security and agricultural production have become increasingly critical. The global population is close to seven billion; and by 2050, it is expected to hit 9.5 billion. It means therefore that the production of food has to be significantly increased.
In some parts of the world, food shortages have sparked riots and in extreme cases even wars. Therefore, food security is not just about satisfying the demand for food but rather it is important for ensuring peace and social stability as well. There is no short cut to food security. It could only be achieved by agricultural production and productivity through successful agricultural policies and programmes. In this regard, one of the key factors is effective drainage and irrigation. No agricultural policy or programme could become successful if it is not buttressed by adequate drainage and irrigation.
In Guyana we have seen under the People’s National Congress government how the neglect of drainage and irrigation caused the plummeting of agricultural output and the driving away of farmers from agriculture.
Undoubtedly under the current government, under which we have become self-sufficient in food, the success in agriculture has come about because of the great attention that has been paid to drainage and irrigation. And more would have been achieved in this regard, but during its early days in office funds were scarce because of a heavily indebted and bankrupt economy.
Nevertheless, there has been remarkable improvement in the drainage and irrigation infrastructure systems compared to what they were about two decades ago.
On this note government has delivered on yet another promise to the people of Buxton/Friendship as another contract valued at some $82M for phase two of the rehabilitation of infrastructure in the community.
Buxton of course is one of our villages with a rich and proud history, producing some of the best academics , professionals and farmers. It was most unfortunate that the village came under siege by that infamous band of criminals who created mayhem and terror across the country. Ironically, they were described by some as “freedom fighters.” Nothing could  be  further from the truth!
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud said that a considerable amount of work was done to restore the drainage system in the backlands of the Buxton/Friendship areas, to allow the free flow of water during the rainy season.
This phase, he said, will be focusing on the discharge of water in the front lands, “because we have some limitation in moving water from the pump basin quickly, to make residential and farming areas less vulnerable to flooding”.
He also informed residents that the initiative is a direct result of President Bharrat Jagdeo’s promise to residents, during an outreach to the community, to redesign and reconstruct the main drainage sluice in the community.
“What we are seeking to do is correct the neglect and poor decision making in the past…the existing structure would have been closed in the 1970s, which contributed to the decline of agricultural activities in the Buxton/Friendship communities,” Persaud said.
He said that work is also being done at Golden Grove, Victoria, Belfield and Cane Grove, to bring back some level of production and food security.
So the foundation is being laid for the farmers within the community to expand their farming activities and return it to prosperity, thereby not only enhancing themselves and community but also contributing to ensuring national food security.