AS part of the effort of familarising himself with the works and programmes under the Agriculture Ministry’s agenda, newly sworn in Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture Mr. Alli Baksh spent last Thursday visiting some of the ministry’s key projects and support institutions in Regions 4 and 5 including the Hope Canal Relief Project, the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA), the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA).
Whilst at Hope Canal, the minister had a first-hand look at the progress of the construction. He also was involved in discussions with farmers in the area who were experiencing minor inconvenience as a result of the ongoing works at the canal.
Farmers told the Minister that the excavation was encroaching on their farming lands. 
Temporary measures were put in place to bring relief to the affected farmers and they were assured that a team will be in the area at least every fortnight to ensure that their concerns are addressed.
Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy accompanied Minister Baksh on this trip to the Hope Canal.
According to the Government Information Agency, Minister Baksh also met with members of the Board of the MMA/ADA at what was their usual statutory meeting and received preliminary insights into the operations of the scheme. 
He also met with the scientists at the Rice Research Station, Burma, where he was updated on research work being carried out there and also on future plans for the station in terms of research on aromatic varieties of rice.
Minister Baksh wrapped up his visit at the Guyana School of Agriculture, where he met with staff and students of the institution, visited the vegetable and livestock farms and witnessed the students in their ‘hands on training’.