EVER since the introduction of sugar cane cultivation in Guyana in the 1640s, the need for proper drainage was felt to drain excess water from the lands which were stretched along our coastline.
Sugar cultivation was later accompanied by the cultivation of rice, and over the centuries, these two commodities brokered a new culture in Guyana, that is to say, the slaves as blacks and indentured immigrants in Chinese and Indians.
Indeed, in later years, these were the crops that attracted and influenced the mass of our population, Blacks and Indians.
As the cultivation of sugar and rice grew over the centuries, so was the need for increased drainage and irrigation facilities. Added to sugar and rice are the cultivation of thousands of acres in vegetables, fruits and ground provision, which are major support mechanisms for the country’s economy.
Today, as from the inception of the cultivation of sugar and rice, agriculture remains one of the main pillars of the economy of this country.
As the developmental process continued over the years with massive intake of new lands in the agricultural and housing sectors, so was the need for the development of massive drainage structures. These increased intakes of land for agriculture, housing and other purposes have put tremendous pressures on the drainage systems, and the weaknesses were exposed on the onset of consistent and/or perhaps heavy rainfall, when large stretches along our coastline were noticeably flooded out.
It would be recalled that, as recent as the last La Nina weather pattern which lashed our country, the country’s farmers lost substantial amounts of crops and livestock and the government had to make an intervention to help our farmers out of their dilemma.
Over the years, our farmers suffered tremendously due to flooding. We are extremely happy now that the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy is bent on leaving no damp patches on the land. In this respect, he has announced the construction of a new West Bank Demerara canal.
The people believe that the digging of this canal is a worthwhile venture, and one that would bring incredible ease to the various communities that are prone to flooding in the West Demerara region. Apart from the two sugar estates that are situated in the West Demerara area, there are also vast stretches of rice and cash crop cultivations, which also suffer as a result of severe flooding.
Although flooding in the West Demerara area is not so pronounced as those experienced on the East Coast of Demerara, there is need for this relief canal.
This is so, especially in light of the fact that we have the Canals One and Two Polder which are famous for cultivation of fruits, vegetables and ground provision among other crops.

Farmers in these areas lose big-time as they usually cultivate hectares upon hectares of land with commodities that are on everyday demand. It should be pointed out that in the past the two polders have had their fair share of excess water on the farmlands which caused farmers to lose entire crops in some cases.
But, it is generally opined that with the advent of the relief canal, there will be less stress on the current drainage and irrigation system and the excess water on the land would be effectively drained off. The people recall that on the East Coast the Hope Canal is being dug to facilitate better drainage of the area.
This is good in practice as it would assist to bolster the confidence of the entire East Coast population including our rice and cash crops farmers there.
The West Demerara relief canal should not be stalled for any reason. Farmers especially in the Canals Polder would be better able to manage their farming activities. Past experiences have shown that our farmers are willing to improve production, but the necessary prerequisites must be there to encourage such activities.